Autostereoscopic Display Pixel Multiplexing via Birefringent Prisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional autostereoscopic displays are unable to provide sufficient views in a small space to meet the demands of modern autostereoscopic images due to the inherent limitations of pixel density and view selection methods.
Innovation Solution
The use of view multiplexers, specifically columnar prisms made of birefringent materials like liquid crystal, which time-multiplex light to create the illusion of multiple views from a single physical pixel by deflecting light at different angles, allowing each pixel to display multiple views by synchronizing the location and view displayed, thereby increasing apparent resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional autostereoscopic displays use arrays of lenses or parallax barriers to provide multiple views, then the field of view is improved, but the horizontal resolution is halved for each eye and insufficient views can be provided in a small space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies time-multiplexing where a single physical pixel sequentially displays multiple views at different time intervals. The view multiplexer deflects light from the pixel at different angles during different time intervals, allowing the pixel to present multiple views to different viewing positions. This periodic switching of views in time domain resolves the contradiction by providing multiple views without requiring multiple physical pixels for each view, thereby maintaining horizontal resolution while increasing the number of displayable views.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the time dimension to the display system by sequentially presenting multiple views from a single pixel over time. Additionally, the view multiplexer utilizes angular deflection to direct light to different spatial positions. This transformation from a static spatial arrangement to a dynamic temporal-spatial multiplexing scheme allows multiple views to be displayed using the same physical pixel resources, resolving the contradiction between number of views and horizontal resolution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more views are provided within a narrow space to improve field of view, then perceived depth of projection is increased, but the pixel density required exceeds the physical capabilities of conventional LCD displays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single physical pixel serve multiple functions by having it display multiple different views sequentially. The view multiplexer enables the same pixel to direct light to multiple different angular positions corresponding to different views. This multi-functionality of a single pixel eliminates the need for multiple dedicated pixels for each view, thereby providing many views within a narrow space without exceeding the physical pixel density of conventional LCD displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses time-multiplexing where the pixel periodically switches between displaying different views. During each time interval, the pixel displays one view and the view multiplexer deflects light at a specific angle. This periodic action allows the same physical pixel to be shared across multiple views, resolving the contradiction between providing many views in narrow space and maintaining acceptable pixel density.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional displays use fixed pixel positions to display views, then the display structure is simple, but the apparent resolution is insufficient for modern autostereoscopic images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a view multiplexer as an intermediary component between the display pixel and the viewer's eye. This intermediary device dynamically deflects light from the pixel at different angles to create the appearance of multiple pixels at different horizontal positions. The view multiplexer acts as a mediator that transforms light from a single fixed pixel position into multiple apparent pixel positions, thereby increasing apparent resolution without requiring additional physical pixels or complex display structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The view multiplexer creates optical copies of the pixel image at different angular positions. By deflecting light at different angles during different time intervals, the system creates the perception of multiple pixel copies in space, even though only one physical pixel exists. This optical copying mechanism increases the apparent resolution without adding physical pixels, resolving the contradiction between apparent resolution and device complexity.
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 enables autostereoscopic displays to achieve higher apparent resolution and wider viewing angles with reduced focus errors, providing a more immersive and detailed stereoscopic experience by effectively increasing the number of views that can be displayed from a single pixel.
Implementation Method 1
The view multiplexer includes a number of columnar prisms of birefringent material such that deflection of light passing through the columnar prisms is switchable between two different angles by controlling the polarity of the light passing through.
Implementation Method 2
Alternatively, the material of the columnar prisms varies its refraction index according to an electrical field of the columnar prisms. An example of such a material is liquid crystal.
Data Source
AI summary
A single pixel of a video display can display respective individual pixels of multiple views. In other words, a video display can include more views for an autostereoscopic image than the physical pixels of the video display would ordinarily support. The physical pixel is time-multiplexed in that the physical pixel displays a pixel of one view for a given time interval and a view multiplexer deflects the light from the physical pixel by a predetermined angle to make the pixel appear in a location corresponding to the pixel of the view. In another time interval, the physical pixel displays a pixel of a different view and the view multiplexer deflects light from the physical pixel by a different predetermined angle to make the pixel appear in a location corresponding to the pixel of the different view.