Arrayed Display and Lens Units for Compact Aerial Image Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerial image formation apparatuses are not adaptable for installation in spaces with limited longitudinal dimensions, such as vehicle dashboards, due to their complex size requirements and chromatic aberration compensation needs.
Innovation Solution
An image stitching-based aerial image formation apparatus is designed with a plurality of display units and optical lens units arranged in arrays, allowing for the splitting of the image into smaller patches and the use of reflective mirrors to adjust the image position and reduce the longitudinal dimension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If chromatic aberration is compensated using conventional methods with front and rear lens groups, then image quality is improved, but the longitudinal dimension of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image formation system into multiple independent optical channels, each with its own lens group processing a specific color channel (red, green, blue). This segmentation allows each channel to be optimized independently and eliminates the need for complex chromatic aberration compensation between channels, thereby reducing the longitudinal dimension while maintaining image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical/optical chromatic aberration compensation mechanism with a computational image stitching approach. Multiple images captured by separated optical channels are digitally aligned and combined, substituting physical optical path adjustment with digital processing to reduce the apparatus size
2Adaptability or versatility
If the apparatus is installed in a vehicle dashboard with limited space, then adaptability is improved, but image size and quality are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single large optical channel to multiple smaller parallel channels arranged in a two-dimensional array configuration. This dimensional change allows the system to fit within compact dashboard spaces while maintaining overall image quality through the combined output of multiple channels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple small-scale optical channels into a unified imaging system where the individual channel outputs are digitally merged through image stitching. This merging approach enables the apparatus to achieve dashboard-compatible dimensions while preserving image quality that would be difficult to obtain with a single compact channel
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 solution effectively shrinks the longitudinal dimension of the apparatus, making it suitable for installation in narrow spaces while maintaining image quality and facilitating user viewing.
Implementation Method 1
a rear lens group comprising a plurality of optical lens units arranged in an array; and a front lens group, wherein light rays passing through the rear lens group are converged by the front lens group to render a real image in midair
Implementation Method 2
the position of the real image may be adjusted via the first reflective mirror to facilitate user viewing
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an image stitching-based aerial image formation apparatus, including sequentially along an optical path direction: an image source comprising a plurality of display units arranged in an array; a rear lens group comprising a plurality of optical lens units arranged in an array; and a front lens group, wherein light rays passing through the rear lens group are converged via the front lens group to render a real image in midair. The disclosure offers the following benefits: by splitting the image source into a plurality of display units arranged in an array and constituting the rear lens group by a plurality of optical lens units arranged in an array, the image is split into smaller patches, such that the longitudinal distance needed for chromatic aberration adjustment also decreases, which shrinks the longitudinal dimension of the whole apparatus so as to be better adapted for installation in a narrow space.