AR Display Light Engine With Metal Banks to Reduce Pixel Cross-Talk

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Solution Overview

Problem

In head-mounted augmented reality displays, the close proximity of the display panel to the wearer's eyes requires miniaturization of images, leading to reduced pixel and sub-pixel pitches, which results in significant optical cross-talk due to the interference of light rays between adjacent sub-pixels, and existing solutions like black matrices have limited light blocking capabilities, reducing overall light quantity.

Innovation Solution

A display light engine comprising a light source module, a spectrum conversion array with a metal bank material between spectrum conversion components, and a lens array, where the metal bank material with high reflectivity restricts the light path and increases light quantity by reducing beam angle incidence, thereby enhancing optical blocking between adjacent components and minimizing cross-talk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the pixel pitch and sub-pixel pitch are reduced to meet the miniaturization demand, then the image size is reduced to fit the short distance display, but the optical cross-talk between adjacent sub-pixels increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage sizeVSAvoidoptical cross-talk

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A metal bank material layer is introduced as an intermediary between adjacent spectrum conversion components (sub-pixels). This metal layer acts as a reflective barrier that blocks light rays from escaping one sub-pixel and entering adjacent sub-pixels, thereby eliminating optical cross-talk while allowing the sub-pixels to be placed in close proximity for miniaturization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pitch between sub-pixels is reduced to achieve miniaturization, but this is compensated by changing the optical properties at the interfaces between sub-pixels through the metal bank material, which reflects stray light back into the sub-pixel, effectively containing the light within each sub-pixel's intended path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a black matrix is used to block light between sub-pixels, then the optical cross-talk is reduced, but the light quantity of the display panel decreases due to light absorption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical cross-talkVSAvoidlight quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of absorbing stray light and converting it to heat (waste), the metal bank material reflects the stray light back into the spectrum conversion component, converting what would be harmful cross-talk into beneficial light that contributes to the intended display output, thereby maintaining light quantity while reducing cross-talk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The metal bank material serves as a reflective intermediary that redirects light paths, preventing light absorption losses associated with black matrices while still achieving the necessary optical isolation between adjacent sub-pixels

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

The solution effectively reduces optical cross-talk and increases light quantity by restricting the light path within each spectrum conversion component, improving the display's light efficiency and reducing interference between adjacent sub-pixels.

Implementation Method 1

Since the metals included in the metal bank material are with high reflectivity to visible light, the light path of the light ray is restricted within the each spectrum conversion component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The plurality of lens of the display light engine are configured to refract a light ray emitted by the plurality of light-emitting components aligning to the plurality of lens respectively, so that the light ray enters the plurality of spectrum conversion components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS20250105218A1Display light engine and augmented reality display

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 AU OPTRONICS CORP

AI summary

A display light engine which includes a light source module, a spectrum conversion array disposed on the light source module and a lens array is provided. The light source module includes a plurality of light-emitting components which emit light toward the spectrum conversion array. The spectrum conversion array includes a plurality of spectrum conversion components and a metal bank material. The spectrum conversion components are spaced from each other and are disposed on the light-emitting components respectively. The metal bank material is distributed between two adjacent spectrum conversion components and separates the spectrum conversion components from each other. The lens array which includes a plurality of lenses arranged in an array is disposed between the spectrum conversion array and the light source module. Those lenses are disposed on and align to the spectrum conversion components respectively.