Air Plasma Display Pixel Control for Full-Color Laser Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for displaying images in the air using laser beams face challenges such as limited color reproduction, high energy requirements, and unsuitability for indoor use due to the production of white plasma light and impact sound, as well as difficulties in freely displaying color images above observers.

Innovation Solution

A display device and method utilizing a visible laser beam within the 380 nm to 780 nm wavelength range to form colored display pixels by creating a weak plasma field, allowing for the scattering of the laser beam and producing a colored light emitter that can be visually identified, enabling the creation of full-color images in the air without the issues associated with white plasma light and impact sound.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If an invisible laser beam is used to produce plasma light in the air, then a light emitter can be formed, but the plasma light is white and cannot produce color images

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emitter brightnessVSAvoidcolor reproduction capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single-function plasma light source into multiple wavelength components by using separate laser beams of different colors (red, green, blue) to irradiate different regions of the light emitter, enabling color display through spatial segmentation of wavelength information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the light emitter serve multiple functions by having it not only produce visible light but also scatter multiple wavelength components from different laser beams, allowing a single light emitter to display multiple colors simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If a colored laser beam is focused on a display position in the air, then color images can be formed, but fluctuation occurs in the display position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor image formationVSAvoiddisplay position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple laser beams (red, green, blue) into a single light emitter by having them converge on the same focal point in the air, which stabilizes the display position while maintaining color capability through the combination of wavelengths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a light emitter (plasma field) as an intermediary medium that receives and scatters light from multiple laser beams, providing a stable interaction point that reduces position fluctuation while enabling color display through wavelength scattering

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If plasma light is used for displaying images, then images can be displayed in the air, but impact sound is produced making it unsuitable for indoor use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair display capabilityVSAvoidimpact sound
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses partial plasma formation by controlling laser irradiation conditions to create a light emitter that is sufficient for light scattering but below the threshold that generates impact sound, achieving a balance between display capability and noise reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of plasma formation by adjusting laser beam wavelength, intensity, and pulse duration to create a mild plasma state that emits visible light for scattering without reaching the conditions that produce audible impact sounds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Illumination intensity

If the laser irradiation intensity is increased to produce a light emitter, then the light emitter becomes visible, but white plasma light is produced instead of colored light

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emitter visibilityVSAvoidcolor purity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different wavelength irradiation to different spatial regions of the light emitter (red laser to one region, green to another, blue to another), creating local color characteristics that combine to form a colored light emitter rather than uniform white light

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

The solution allows for the stable formation of colored display pixels in the air, enabling the creation of full-color images with reduced noise and energy consumption, making it suitable for indoor use and allowing observers to view images from various directions.

Implementation Method 1

allows for the scattering of the laser beam and producing a colored light emitter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP3663837B1Display device and display method
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 CANON KK
  • EP3663837B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3663837B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3663837B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display device includes a laser irradiation device (100) and a control device (1010). The laser irradiation device (100) is configured to irradiate an irradiation point located at a display position (301) in air, with a laser beam (203) having a wavelength equal to or larger than 380 nm and equal to or smaller than 780nm and produce plasma at the display position (301). The control device (1010) is configured to control intensity of the laser beam (203) emitted from the at least one laser irradiation device (100) so that a relationship between intensity of plasma light emitted from the plasma at the display position (301) and intensity of scattered light produced from the laser beam (203) and scattered by the plasma becomes a predetermined relationship to display a color pixel.