Autostereoscopic Display Polarization Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autostereoscopic displays face challenges with high switching speed requirements for 2D displays to achieve good depth properties and large angle of continuous parallax, alignment issues at high viewing angles due to color filters, and deteriorated color reproduction, especially with scanning backlights using separate red, green, and blue light sources.

Innovation Solution

The use of multiple 2D displays, each capable of blocking specific color frequencies, synchronized with a scanning aperture light source that emits combined or separated color bands, and liquid crystal panels with polarization manipulation capabilities to adjust light polarization, allowing for improved light modulation and reduced switching speed needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a scanning aperture array is used with a 2D display to achieve autostereoscopic effect, then depth perception is improved, but the switching speed requirement for the display becomes excessively high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth perceptionVSAvoidswitching speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the light source into multiple spatially separated LED elements (red, green, blue LEDs) arranged in a scanning aperture array. By segmenting the light emission into discrete spatial and temporal components, the system can control light direction without requiring the entire display to switch at high speeds. The aperture array segments the light paths to different eyes, enabling depth perception through spatial separation rather than temporal switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic scanning of the aperture array where LEDs are activated in sequential patterns (e.g., odd/even row scanning). This periodic activation creates the autostereoscopic effect by directing light to different eyes at different times. The periodic nature of the scanning reduces the switching burden on the display while maintaining depth perception through rhythmic light direction changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If color filters are used in the display to provide color separation, then color reproduction is achieved, but alignment issues occur at high viewing angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor reproductionVSAvoidalignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the color filtering function from the display panel and relocates it to the aperture array itself. Instead of using color filters in the display that cause alignment issues at viewing angles, the system uses separate red, green, and blue LED light sources in the aperture array to inherently provide color separation. This removes the alignment problem by eliminating the need for precise filter-display registration at oblique angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the aperture array as an intermediary element between the light source and the display. This intermediary layer performs the color separation function through its LED composition rather than through color filters in the display. The aperture array mediates the light path to different eyes with appropriate color content, solving the alignment issue by decoupling color separation from display pixel alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate red, green, and blue light sources are used in the scanning backlight, then color control is improved, but color reproduction deteriorates due to intensity variations at different viewing angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor controlVSAvoidcolor reproduction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different characteristics to different parts of the aperture array. Each LED element (red, green, blue) is positioned and configured to emit light with specific intensity characteristics tailored to its viewing angle. The system adjusts the intensity of individual LED elements based on their spatial location and the intended viewing direction, compensating for angular intensity variations to maintain consistent color reproduction across different viewing angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Device complexity

If the aperture array is positioned behind the display, then the optical path is simplified, but the depth of the display system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical pathVSAvoiddisplay depth
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nesting by integrating the aperture array within the display structure itself. The LED elements of the aperture array are positioned behind the display panel and interconnected with flexible printed circuits that route signals through nested layers. This nested configuration allows the aperture array to be embedded within the display assembly, maintaining a simplified optical path while minimizing the overall depth of the system by utilizing the space already occupied by the display structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 enhances color reproduction and depth perception by allowing independent light control for each pixel, reducing alignment issues and improving switching speed requirements, while maintaining efficient light modulation and color accuracy across various viewing angles.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid crystal panel having pixels. The liquid crystal panel is spaced apart from the organic electroluminescence device so that the light of each light-emitting region illuminates at least two pixels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentEP2737709B1Autostereoscopic display system
Publication Date: 2017.09.13 SETRED AS
  • EP2737709B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2737709B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2737709B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A three dimensional display apparatus comprising: a backlight to emit light from switchable apertures, the light being polarized; at least one light modulation panel with pixels that can be set to change the polarization of light; a polarizer that transmits light within a limited range of polarizations; where each light modulation panel can change the polarization such that the light passing through the polarizer can both increase and decrease irrespective of the polarization of light before passing the panel; and where the switching of the apertures are synchronised with the switching of the pixels on the at least one light modulation panel