Autostereoscopic Display with Dynamic Mask Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autostereoscopic displays struggle to maintain realistic 3D imagery and minimal distortion when the user moves, as they are designed for a fixed viewing position, leading to reduced parallax and distorted images.

Innovation Solution

The system generates and adjusts masks for each eye of the user in real-time based on their head and eye movements, using algorithms and a microlens array to redirect image content, ensuring proper 3D perception and parallax by interleaving pixels from left and right images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the display is designed for a fixed viewing position, then realistic 3D imagery can be achieved, but the user cannot move without experiencing distorted images and reduced parallax

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve3D imagery qualityVSAvoidviewing position flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic mask generation that adapts to the user's head position and eye movements. The system continuously tracks viewer position and recalculates the mask parameters in real-time, transforming a static optical system into a dynamic one that maintains 3D quality across multiple viewing positions. This resolves the contradiction by making the display adaptable to user movement while preserving image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes optical parameters (mask position, mask size, pixel mapping) based on detected viewer position. By dynamically adjusting these parameters according to head tracking data, the display maintains optimal 3D imagery quality regardless of viewing position, thus resolving the contradiction between fixed-position design requirements and user movement flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If masks are generated for each eye based on head and eye movements, then stable 3D content with minimal distortion can be experienced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve3D content stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback loop where head position and eye movement are continuously tracked, and this information feeds back to dynamically adjust the mask generation parameters. This closed-loop control system ensures stable 3D content delivery by compensating for viewer movement in real-time, achieving reliability despite the increased complexity of adding sensors and processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically generating appropriate masks based on detected viewer position without requiring manual intervention. The autonomous nature of the mask generation process, driven by real-time position data, maintains 3D stability while the complexity is confined to the automated control system rather than user operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If pixel intensity is determined using weighting functions based on viewer position, then proper 3D perception is achieved, but the computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve3D perception accuracyVSAvoidcomputational power
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates and stores weighting functions for different viewing positions, allowing the system to quickly retrieve and apply appropriate weights rather than computing them in real-time. This preliminary preparation reduces computational burden during actual display operation while maintaining accurate 3D perception through position-based weighting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach allows users to experience stable and realistic 3D content with minimal distortion even when moving, by dynamically adjusting the image content projection to match the user's changing position and gaze.

Implementation Method 1

The autostereoscopic displays employ optical components to achieve a 3D effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3747191B1Autostereoscopic display with viewer tracking
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3747191B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3747191B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3747191B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods are described for determining a tracked position associated with viewing an emitting interface of a display device, generating, using the tracked position, a first mask representing a first set of values associated with the emitting interface of the display device, generating, using the tracked position, a second mask representing a second set of values associated with the emitting interface of the display device, and generating an output image using the first mask and the second mask.