Aerial Image Display Device Ghost Image Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aerial image display devices suffer from diminished visibility due to the formation of ghost images caused by unnecessary light that does not contribute to the aerial image, which reduces the clarity of the displayed image.

Innovation Solution

The aerial image display device incorporates a display component, an imaging component with perpendicular reflecting surfaces, and a first limiter positioned closer to the display component to limit the incident angle of light, ensuring that light causing ghosting is removed, and the reflecting surfaces are inclined between 30° and 60° to efficiently separate the aerial image from ghost images. Additionally, a louver structure and a second limiter are used to further limit exit angles and prevent external light reflection, enhancing image clarity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional aerial image display device uses a display panel and imaging optical panel without light angle limiting structures, then the device structure is simple, but ghost images are formed due to unnecessary light incident on the imaging component, diminishing the visibility of the aerial image

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of aerial imageVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first limiter is positioned closer to the display component than the imaging component, performing preliminary light angle limitation before light reaches the imaging component. This preliminary action prevents ghost image formation at the source by blocking unnecessary light paths, thereby improving aerial image visibility without requiring complex post-processing structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The first limiter extracts and removes the harmful component (light at inappropriate incident angles) from the light beam before it reaches the imaging component. By taking out the problematic light paths that cause ghosting, the device achieves better image visibility while maintaining relatively simple structure through a single dedicated light-limiting element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are inclined at angles between 30° and 60° with respect to the median plane, then ghost images are efficiently separated from the aerial image, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage clarityVSAvoidimaging component structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging component uses specific inclination angle parameters (30°-60°) for the first and second reflecting surfaces to optimize the separation between aerial image and ghost images. By carefully selecting these angular parameters, the device achieves efficient ghost image suppression while maintaining a relatively simple imaging component structure without requiring additional complex mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the first limiter is disposed closer to the display component than the imaging component, then light causing ghosting is removed by the first limiter, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of aerial imageVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first limiter acts as an intermediary element positioned between the display component and the imaging component. It mediates the light path by selectively blocking unnecessary light angles before light reaches the imaging component, thereby preventing ghost image formation. This intermediary structure improves visibility while adding only one relatively simple light-limiting element to the overall device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration significantly improves the visibility of the aerial image by minimizing ghost image formation and maintaining image quality, allowing for a clearer and more distinct floating image display.

Implementation Method 1

the first limiter is configured to limit an incident angle of incident light incident on the imaging component. Consequently, the light that is a source of ghosting can be removed by the first limiter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

The imaging component has a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface that are arranged perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to an image formation plane of the imaging component, the imaging component being configured to form an aerial image of the image

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3499295B1Aerial image display device
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 FUNAI ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3499295B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3499295B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3499295B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An aerial image display device includes a display component, an imaging component, and a first limiter. The display component has a display surface for displaying an image. The imaging component has a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface that are arranged perpendicular to each other along an image formation plane of the imaging component. The imaging component is configured to form an aerial image of the image in a display area that is symmetrical with the display surface with respect to the image formation plane. The first limiter is disposed closer to the display component than the imaging component. The first limiter is configured to limit an incident angle of incident light incident on the imaging component. The first reflection surface and the second reflection surface are inclined by an angle between 30° and 60° with respect to a median plane that includes a perpendicular of each of the display surface and the image formation plane.