3D Display Apparatus Using Projection and Liquid Crystal Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D image displaying apparatuses are costly and inefficient, with large-scale implementations requiring expensive components like half mirrors and dispersion plates, and suffer from low brightness and high production costs, making them unsuitable for affordable high-quality 3D image display.
Innovation Solution
An image displaying apparatus using a first light modulator unit near the observer and a second smaller light modulator unit with a projection apparatus to enlarge the image, allowing for multiple 2D images to be displayed across different depths, utilizing polarizing plates and a polarized light converter for efficient light utilization and increased contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If half mirrors and dispersion plates are used to display multiple 2D images at different depths, then 3D image display is achieved, but the apparatus becomes large and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a liquid crystal panel to generate multiple 2D images that are then projected onto a screen, creating optical copies of the images at different depths. This replaces the need for physical half mirrors and dispersion plates, reducing apparatus size and cost while maintaining 3D display capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical optical elements (half mirrors, dispersion plates) with a liquid crystal display system that uses electrical control to modulate light and create the illusion of 3D depth through software-controlled image projection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If half mirrors are used to project images, then multiple depth layers are achieved, but light efficiency is lowered and brightness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using half mirrors that reflect and transmit light (losing intensity), the patent creates optical copies of images through liquid crystal modulation and projection, allowing full light transmission while maintaining multiple depth layers through image processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of light modulation from physical reflection (half mirrors) to controlled light transmission through liquid crystal panels, enabling brightness control through electrical signals rather than optical loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If liquid crystal shutter glasses are used for 3D display, then 3D images can be displayed, but the system becomes inconvenient and causes eye fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual 3D images through projection and optical illusion, eliminating the need for physical shutter glasses. The 3D effect is achieved by projecting multiple 2D images at different depths onto a screen, making the display self-contained and removing the inconvenience of external glasses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the 3D display function from the glasses (liquid crystal shutters) and integrates it into the display system itself, using a liquid crystal panel to generate and project 3D images directly, thereby eliminating the need for separate shutter glasses.
4Area of stationary object
If panel size is enlarged to increase screen real estate, then display area increases, but production cost decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the display system into a small liquid crystal panel that generates images and a separate projection system that displays them enlarged on a screen. This segmentation allows the expensive high-resolution panel to remain small while achieving large display area through projection, optimizing the cost-performance ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a small liquid crystal panel to create multiple 2D images that are then optically copied and projected onto a large screen. This allows the expensive high-resolution panel to be small while achieving large display area through optical copying and projection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the creation of a large-sized 3D display with high picture quality at a low cost, improving contrast and reducing the size and expense of the display apparatus while maintaining efficient light use.
Implementation Method 1
a first liquid crystal panel for use of light modulation, which is provided at a position nearest to an observer, and thereby converting a light from a light source into a video signal
Implementation Method 2
a projection apparatus for projecting the light modulated through the second light modulator unit onto the first light modulator unit, enlargedly
Implementation Method 3
utilizing polarizing plates and a polarized light converter for efficient light utilization and increased contrast
Data Source
AI summary
An image displaying apparatus, comprising: a first light modulator unit, which is configured to modulate a light incident thereon, responding to a first video signal, thereby to form a first image; one or a plural number of second light modulator units, which is/are configured to modulate a light from a light source, responding to a second video signal; and an enlarged image forming unit, being disposed on a light incidence side of the first light modulator unit, upon which a light modulated within the second light modulator unit is projected, enlargedly, thereby to form a second image thereon, wherein upon the first light modulator unit is incident the light of the second image formed on the enlarged image forming unit, and the first image is formed through modulation of the light of the second image responding to the first video signal.