Holographic display device

Abstract

The holographic display device includes a display, a sensing device, a semi-reflective element, an actuator, and a solid-state processor. The actuator is connected to the semi-reflective element. When the holographic display device operates in holographic display mode, the actuator positions the semi-reflective element in the light-emitting direction of the display. The sensing device is adapted to sense the user's position and viewing angle information. The solid-state processor is electrically connected to the sensing device, the display, and the actuator. Based on the user's position and viewing angle information, the solid-state processor controls the actuator to change at least one of the following: tilt angle, orientation, position, or curvature of the semi-reflective element relative to the display.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to a holographic display device. [Previous Technology]

[0002] To provide users with a better experience and interaction when using electronic devices, electronic devices that can provide stereoscopic or holographic images are highly attractive to users. However, current holographic display devices are limited by a fixed viewing angle, and the viewing quality and versatility still need to be improved. [Summary of the Invention]

[0003] The present invention provides a holographic display device that allows users to observe clear holographic display images from different perspectives or positions.

[0004] The holographic display device of the present invention includes a first display, a sensing device, a semi-reflective element, an actuator, and a solid-state processor. The first display is adapted to emit a first light beam. The actuator disposed on the first display is connected to the semi-reflective element. When the holographic display device is operated in holographic display mode, the actuator positions the semi-reflective element in the transmission path of the first light beam. The sensing device is adapted to sense the user's position information and viewing angle information. The solid-state processor is electrically connected to the sensing device, the first display, and the actuator. The solid-state processor controls the actuator to change at least one of the tilt angle, orientation, position, and bending of the semi-reflective element relative to the first display based on the user's position information and viewing angle information.

[0005] Based on the above, when the user is in different positions or at different viewing angles, the holographic display device provided in this embodiment of the invention can change the tilt angle, direction, position, or curvature of the semi-reflective element relative to the display. For example, the semi-reflective element can be adjusted to different tilt angles or directional angles relative to the display. Accordingly, the holographic display device can adjust the reflection angle of the display beam emitted by the display to the user. The solid-state processor can select the most appropriate reflection angle according to the user's position or viewing angle so that the user can observe an optimized holographic stereoscopic image.

[0006] In order to make the above features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below, and detailed descriptions are given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Implementation Method

[0008] As used herein, “about,” “approximately,” “essentially,” or “substantially” includes the value and the average value within an acceptable range of deviations from a particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, taking into account the measurement in question and the specific number of errors associated with the measurement (i.e., limitations of the measurement system). For example, “about” may mean within one or more standard deviations of the value, or, for example, ±30%, ±20%, ±15%, ±10%, ±5%. Furthermore, as used herein, “about,” “approximately,” “essentially,” or “substantially” may be used to select a more acceptable range of deviations or standard deviations depending on process characteristics, measurement properties, cutting properties, or other properties, and may not apply to all properties with a single standard deviation. That is, a right angle or any angle illustrated herein may substantially be a rounded corner with a small radius of curvature.

[0009] In the accompanying drawings, the thicknesses of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., are enlarged for clarity. It should be understood that when an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly on or connected to the other element, or intermediate elements may also be present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly connected" to another element, no intermediate elements are present. As used herein, "connection" may refer to a physical and / or electrical connection. Furthermore, an "electrical connection" may mean the presence of other elements between two elements.

[0010] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same element symbols are used in the drawings and description to denote the same or similar parts.

[0011] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a holographic display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a structural schematic diagram of the actuator in the holographic display device. Referring to FIG1, the holographic display device 1a includes a first display 100A, a second display 100B, a sensing device 110, a semi-reflective element 120A, an actuator 130, and a solid-state processor 140. A pivot SF may be provided between the second display 100A and the first display 100B, so that the second display 100A is pivotally connected to the first display 100B, and rotates relative to the first display 100B with respect to the pivot SF. In FIG1, the holographic display device 1a can be a notebook computer, and therefore can have a keyboard KB as an input device for the user U, and the keyboard KB and the first display 100A can both be disposed in the housing CA. The keyboard KB can be a physical keyboard, an optical projection keyboard, or a touchpad area, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0012] The first display 100A and the second display 100B are, for example, electronic components with display functions, including, for example, liquid crystal display (LCD) screens, light-emitting diode (LED) screens, mini LED screens, micro LED screens, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens, plasma screens, vacuum fluorescent screens, field emission display (FED) screens and / or other suitable types of screens, without limitation thereof.

[0013] It is worth mentioning that the first display 100A can emit a first beam L1, and the second display 100B can emit a second beam L2. The second display 100B can be, for example, a main display, and the second beam L2 is used to provide general image information. The first display 100A can be, for example, a secondary display, and the first beam L1 is used to provide images of a single object from multiple different perspectives, thereby enabling it to be used in conjunction with the semi-reflective element 120A to generate holographic stereoscopic images (described later).

[0014] The sensing device 110 is adapted to sense the position information and viewing angle information of the user U. For example, the sensing device 110 can sense the relative position of the user U and the holographic display device 1a, and sense the viewing angle of the user U when the user U is looking at the first display 100A and the second display 100B of the holographic display device 1a. In some embodiments, the sensing device 110 is, for example, an eye-tracking device. In some embodiments, the sensing device 110 may include a light source and an image sensing unit (not shown), the light source being used to emit a sensing beam (e.g., a near-infrared beam) to the user U, and the image sensing unit being used to receive the near-infrared beam reflected by the user U. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the sensing device 110 may be, for example, a camera.

[0015] In response to the holographic display device 1a operating in holographic display mode, the actuator 130 can position the semi-reflective element 120A in the light-emitting direction of the first display 100A (positioning the semi-reflective element 120A on the transmission path of the light beam emitted by the first display 100A). Specifically, in direction Z, the semi-reflective element 120A can overlap the first display 100A, and both the first light beam L1 and the second light beam L2 can pass through the semi-reflective element 120A. The material of the semi-reflective element 120A can be composed of a suitable semi-reflective and semi-transparent substrate. For example, it can be polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET), glass, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), etc. In some embodiments, the ratio of the transmittance to the reflectance of the semi-reflective element 120A can be greater than or equal to 0.25 and less than or equal to 4. Within the aforementioned range, the semi-reflective element 120A can enable the first beam L1 and the second beam L2 to have good transmittance and reflectance, thereby allowing the user U to observe clear holographic stereoscopic images and general display images; however, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0016] In this embodiment, the semi-reflective element 120A may be composed of a plurality of semi-reflective and semi-transparent films. Specifically, the semi-reflective element 120A may include two first semi-reflective elements 121 and two second semi-reflective elements 122. The two first semi-reflective elements 121 are arranged opposite each other along the Y direction, and the two second semi-reflective elements 122 are arranged opposite each other along the X direction, with one of the first semi-reflective elements 121 located between the two second semi-reflective elements 122. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the semi-reflective element 120A may have other quantities. In this embodiment, the two first semi-reflective elements 121 and the two second semi-reflective elements 122 may be rotated via the actuator 130 to form an inverted pyramid shape on the plane of the first display 100A (e.g., the plane formed by the X and Y directions).

[0017] Actuator 130 is disposed on display 100A. Actuator 130 is connected to semi-reflective element 120A. Solid-state processor 140 can control actuator 130 according to user position information and viewing angle information to change at least one of the tilt angle, orientation, position, or bending of semi-reflective element 120A relative to the first display 100A. For example, actuator 130 may include bracket 131, reducer 132, and motor 133. Bracket 131 connects to semi-reflective element 120A, for example, the first semi-reflective element 121 and the second semi-reflective element 122 may each be disposed between two brackets 131. The reducer 132 may include, for example, gear 1321 and lead screw 1322 or bearing (not shown), the gear 1321 meshing with the thread of lead screw 1322, and the motor 133 connected to lead screw 1322 providing torque, so that motor 133 drives semi-reflective element 120A to rotate. However, the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the actuator 130 may include a worm gear.

[0018] For example, in this embodiment, the first semi-reflective element 121 may have a first rotation axis AR1, the axis of which is, for example, oriented towards direction X; the second semi-reflective element 122 may have a second rotation axis AR2, the axis of which is, for example, oriented towards direction Y. When the actuator 130 is actuated, the first semi-reflective element 121 and the second semi-reflective element 122 may rotate about the first rotation axis AR1 and the second rotation axis AR2, and be lifted in direction Z to rotate, wherein directions X, Y, and Z may be perpendicular to each other; however, the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments not shown, the actuator 130 may also be provided with other motor devices, such that the semi-reflective element 120A rotates about direction Z, and the semi-reflective element 120A may deflect in the direction of the plane in which the first display 100A is located; the invention is not limited thereto.

[0019] The solid-state processor 140 is electrically connected to the first display 100A, the second display 100B, the sensing device 110, and the actuator 130. In one embodiment, the solid-state processor 140 may further be electrically connected to a storage device (not shown). The solid-state processor 140 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable controller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or other similar devices or combinations thereof, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the functions of the solid-state processor 140 may be implemented as a plurality of code. This code is stored in the storage device and executed by the solid-state processor 140. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the functions of the solid-state processor 140 may be implemented as one or more circuits. The present invention does not limit the implementation of the functions of the solid-state processor 140 in software or hardware. The storage device may be Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), flash memory, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), Non-Volatile Memory, Hard Disk Drive (HDD), or Solid-State Disk (SSD), etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0020] As described above, the solid-state processor 140 is adapted to control the rotation of the semi-reflective element 120A based on the position information and viewing angle information of the user U sensed by the sensing device 110. The combination effect of the sensing device 110 and the semi-reflective element 120A in the holographic display device 1a of this embodiment will be described in detail in the following paragraphs.

[0021] Figures 2A and 2B are side and top views of the holographic display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the semi-reflective element before deflection. Figures 2C and 2D are side and top views of the holographic display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the semi-reflective element after deflection. Figures 7A to 7C are schematic diagrams of the working principle of the holographic display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. For ease of explanation, the first semi-reflective element 121 is omitted in Figures 2A and 2C. Referring to Figures 2A to 2B, when the holographic display device 1a does not need to provide holographic display function, the semi-reflective element 120A can be laid flat and stored on the housing CA or on the plane where the first display 100A is located. For example, at this time, the bracket 131 can be placed on the plane formed by the X and Y directions without deflection, so that the plane where the first semi-reflective element 121 and the second semi-reflective element 122 are located can be substantially parallel to the first display 100A.

[0022] Referring again to Figures 2C and 2D, when the holographic display device 1a needs to provide holographic display function, the semi-reflective element 120A can rotate in the direction Z. For example, there can be an angle θ between the second semi-reflective element 122 and the first display 100A. For example, the actuator 130 can start to operate and the support 131 can be deflected, so that the first semi-reflective element 121 and the second semi-reflective element 122 can rotate together and form an inverted pyramid-shaped structure.

[0023] Please also refer to Figures 2C and 7A simultaneously. As shown in Figure 7A, when the angle θ between the plane of the semi-reflective element 120A and the plane of the first display 100A is too small or too large, the first beam L1 cannot be transmitted to the user U after being reflected by the semi-reflective element 120A. This will prevent the user U from observing the holographic image formed by the first beam L1. For example, in Figure 7A, the real image P represents the image information represented by the first beam L1, while the "question mark" represents that the user U cannot observe the image.

[0024] At this time, the sensing device 110 described above can sense the position information and viewing angle information of the user U, and send the above information back to the solid-state processor 140. The solid-state processor 140 can determine the viewing angle and position of the user U based on the position information and viewing angle information. And as shown in FIG7B, the solid-state processor 140 can control the actuator 130 to adjust the angle θ between the semi-reflective element 120A and the first display 100A. For example, the solid-state processor 140 can determine the required value of angle θ based on the experimental data or the recorded data of the subject stored in the aforementioned storage device, so that the semi-reflective element 120A can reflect the first light beam L1 to the user U to receive the first light beam L1, and the user U will observe the virtual image q' of the holographic image on the other side of the semi-reflective element 120A (that is, the user U and the virtual image q' are located on opposite sides of the semi-reflective element 120A). Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the solid-state processor 140 may be a neural network processing unit (NPU) and may calculate the required value of angle θ based on the user U’s viewpoint and position through a data model or algorithm, thereby rotating the angle θ so that the first beam L1 can be transmitted to the user U.

[0025] Please refer to Figures 7B and 7C next. Furthermore, as the semi-reflective element 120A has different deflection angles, the holographic image observed by the user U may be distorted; for example, in Figure 7B, the virtual image q' is deformed or twisted relative to the real image P. At this time, the solid-state processor 140 can further fine-tune the angle θ to optimize the holographic image observed by the user U. As shown in Figure 7C, the virtual image q observed by the user U is a clearer and more realistic holographic image than the virtual image q'. The method for fine-tuning the angle θ can be referred to in the preceding paragraphs and will not be repeated here.

[0026] The following will list some other embodiments to illustrate the present invention in detail, wherein the same components will be marked with the same symbols, and the description of the same technical content will be omitted. For the omitted parts, please refer to the foregoing embodiments, and they will not be repeated below.

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a holographic display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 3, the holographic display device 1b of this embodiment is similar to the holographic display device 1a in Figure 1, the main difference being that the structure and actuation function of the semi-reflective element are different. The holographic display device 1b may also include a guide rail 150 disposed next to the first display 100A. The first bracket 131A and the second bracket 131B are disposed on the guide rail 150 to move next to the first display 100A. The number of semi-reflective elements 120B can be one, and the semi-reflective elements 120B can move and rotate on the plane of the first display 100A by means of the guide rail 150, and the semi-reflective elements 120B can be correspondingly bent. For example, the solid-state processor 140 can control the first bracket 131A and the second bracket 131B of the actuator 130 according to the user's position information and viewing angle information, so that the first bracket 131A and the second bracket 131B drive the semi-reflective element 120B to move or bend.

[0028] In detail, the semi-reflective element 120B is disposed between the first bracket 131A and the second bracket 131B. For example, the opposite sides of the semi-reflective element 120B (e.g., opposite sides in the Y direction) can each be connected to the first bracket 131A and the second bracket 131B. Furthermore, the first bracket 131A, the second bracket 131B, and the aforementioned actuator 130 can be disposed and connected to the guide rail 150 via movable components (e.g., trolleys and bearings, not shown). When the first bracket 131A and the second bracket 131B move or rotate along the guide rail 150, the semi-reflective element 120B can deform due to the movement of the first bracket 131A and the second bracket 131B. For example, the semi-reflective element 120B can be raised and rotated in the direction Z, or it can bend accordingly due to the reduction in the relative distance between the first support 131A and the second support 131B, and bend in the direction of travel of the second beam L2 (e.g., direction X). In this way, the semi-reflective element 120B can be adjusted to a suitable reflective surface, so that the user U can observe a clear holographic image from a wide viewing angle in front of the holographic display device 1b.

[0029] Figures 4A to 6C are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the semi-reflective element of the holographic display device in Figure 3. For ease of illustration, only the relative relationships of the first display 100A, semi-reflective element 120B, first support 131A, second support 131B, track 150, and actuator 130 are schematically shown in each figure, while the drawing of other components is omitted. Figure 4A is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the holographic display device 1b, Figure 4B is a top view schematic diagram of the holographic display device 1b, and Figure 4C is a perspective schematic diagram of the holographic display device 1b. Please refer to Figures 4A to 4C first. When the holographic display function of the holographic display device 1b is not required, the first support 131A and the second support 131B can be placed horizontally on the plane of the first display 100A. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 4C, the guide rail 150 can partially surround the first display 100A and present a phonetic symbol "ㄇ" shape in the orthographic projection direction of the first display 100A. The first bracket 131A and the second bracket 131B can be positioned on opposite sides of the U-shaped guide rail 150. That is, the first bracket 131A and the second bracket 131B can be arranged side by side in the Y direction and each extend towards the X direction. At this time, the semi-reflective element 120B located between the first bracket 131A and the second bracket 131B can be unbent and parallel to the display surface of the first display 100A.

[0030] Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of the holographic display device 1b, Figure 5B is a top view of the holographic display device 1b, and Figure 5C is a perspective view of the holographic display device 1b. Referring then to Figures 3, 5A, and 5C, when the user U is positioned in front of the second display 100B and the user U's line of sight is substantially in the opposite direction of X, the semi-reflective element 120B can begin to rotate and rise towards Z. Specifically, the actuator 130 can use one end of the guide rail 150 connected to the first bracket 131A and the second bracket 131B as a fulcrum, causing the first bracket 131A and the second bracket 131B to rotate parallel to each other and rise towards Z. This allows the semi-reflective element 120B to rise smoothly towards Z, and the plane containing the semi-reflective element 120B and the plane containing the first display 100A can have an angle between them. Therefore, when the first beam L1 illuminates the semi-reflective element 120B, partial reflection can occur on the semi-reflective element 120B, so that the first beam L1 can be transmitted to the user U, allowing the user U to observe the holographic image on the other side of the semi-reflective element 120B (meaning that in the direction X of Figure 5C, the user U and the holographic image are located on opposite sides of the semi-reflective element 120B).

[0031] Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view of the holographic display device 1b, Figure 6B is a top view of the holographic display device 1b, and Figure 6C is a perspective view of the holographic display device 1b. Referring then to Figures 3, 6A to 6C, when the user U is in front of the second display 100B, but the angle between the user U's line of sight and direction X is too large (i.e., the user U's viewing angle is too large), the semi-reflective element 120B can be bent and raised or moved in direction Z. Specifically, the actuator 130 can control the movement and rotation of the first bracket 131A and the second bracket 131B on the guide rail 150. For example, one end of the first bracket 131A and the second bracket 131B connected to the guide rail 150 can translate between directions X and Y, or can rotate on the guide rail 150 about direction Z. Therefore, the semi-reflective element 120B connecting the first support 131A and the second support 131B can be bent, rotated, and moved on the plane formed by the X and Y directions. Thus, even if the user U has a wide viewing angle or is looking at the holographic display device 1b at an angle, the solid-state processor 140 can use the viewing angle and position information collected by the sensing device 110 to control the actuator 130 to bend, rotate, and move the semi-reflective element 120B accordingly, allowing the user U to observe a clearer holographic image. Related technical details can be found in Figures 7A to 7C and related paragraphs, and will not be repeated here.

[0032] In summary, when the user is in different positions or at different viewing angles, the semi-reflective element of the holographic display device provided in this embodiment of the invention can rotate relative to the display, and the semi-reflective element can be adjusted to different angles relative to the display. This allows adjustment of the reflection angle of the display beam emitted by the display to the user. The solid-state processor can then select the most appropriate reflection angle based on the user's position or viewing angle, allowing the user to observe an optimized holographic stereoscopic image.

[0033] Although the present invention has been disclosed above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a holographic display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a structural schematic diagram of the actuator in the holographic display device. Figures 2A and 2B are side and top views of the holographic display device according to an embodiment of the present invention before the semi-reflective element is deflected. Figures 2C and 2D are side and top views of the holographic display device according to an embodiment of the present invention after the semi-reflective element is deflected. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a holographic display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 4A to 6C are schematic diagrams of the operation of the semi-reflective element of the holographic display device of Figure 3. Figures 7A to 7C are schematic diagrams of the working principle of the holographic display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A holographic display device, suitable for providing holographic images to a user, comprising: A first display, adapted to emit a first beam of light; A sensing device adapted to sense the user's location information and the user's viewing angle information; Semi-reflective element; An actuator is disposed on the first display, wherein the actuator is connected to the semi-reflective element, and the actuator positions the semi-reflective element on the transmission path of the first light beam in response to the holographic display device operating in holographic display mode; and a solid-state processor is electrically connected to the sensing device, the first display and the actuator, wherein the solid-state processor controls the actuator to change at least one of the tilt angle, orientation, position and bending of the semi-reflective element relative to the first display based on the user's position information and viewing angle information.

2. The holographic display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises: The bracket connects the semi-reflective element; A speed reducer is mounted on the first display and connected to the bracket; And the motor, which is connected to the reducer.

3. The holographic display device as described in claim 2, further comprising: A guide rail is provided next to the first display, wherein the bracket is mounted on the guide rail to move next to the first display.

4. The holographic display device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the solid-state processor controls the actuator based on the user's position information and viewing angle information to cause the bracket to move or bend the semi-reflective element.

5. The holographic display device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the support includes a first support and a second support, the semi-reflective element is disposed between the first support and the second support, and the semi-reflective element is bent in response to movement of the first support and the second support along the guide rail.

6. The holographic display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the semi-reflective element comprises: two first semi-reflective elements disposed opposite to each other and each having a first rotation axis; and two second semi-reflective elements disposed opposite to each other and each having a second rotation axis, wherein the axial direction of the first rotation axis is different from the axial direction of the second rotation axis.

7. The holographic display device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first semi-reflective elements and the second semi-reflective elements are arranged in an inverted pyramid shape.

8. The holographic display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the semi-reflective element satisfies the condition: 0.25≦(T / R)≦4, where R is the reflectivity of the semi-reflective element to the first light beam and T is the transmittance of the semi-reflective element to the first light beam.

9. The holographic display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing device includes a light source and an image sensing unit.

10. The holographic display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the semi-reflective element further comprises: a second display pivotally connected to the first display and adapted to emit a second light beam, wherein the sensing device is disposed on the second display.

11. The holographic display device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the holographic display device is a notebook computer.

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