Autostereoscopic 3D Display Using Beam Combining Film

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional 3D projection technologies require viewers to wear special glasses and are not effective in bright light environments, limiting their application in outdoor settings and increasing costs.

Innovation Solution

An autostereoscopic display system that combines two-dimensional images from multiple sources using a beam combining film with a prismatic front surface and a planar back surface, allowing for the creation of a 3D image without the need for glasses, by positioning the image sources at angular offsets and utilizing the film's transmissive and reflective incidence angles to combine images into a single 3D stream.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional 3D projection techniques are used, then the illusion of depth is achieved, but viewers must wear special glasses and the system is not effective in bright light environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improve3D display effectivenessVSAvoidviewing convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the requirement for special viewing glasses from the 3D display system by using lenticular lens arrays and parallax barriers that work with standard displays, eliminating the need for additional viewing accessories while maintaining the 3D effect in various lighting conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces optical elements such as lenticular lens arrays and parallax barriers as intermediary components between the display and the viewer, which manipulate light paths to create autostereoscopic 3D images without requiring special glasses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional 3D projection techniques are used, then the illusion of depth is achieved, but the system is not effective in bright light environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improve3D display effectivenessVSAvoidambient light tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces optical elements such as lenticular lens arrays and parallax barriers as intermediary components between the display and the viewer, which manipulate light paths to create autostereoscopic 3D images without requiring special glasses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If liquid crystal shuttered spectacles are used, then separate left and right eye images are delivered, but the cost increases and synchronization is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestereoscopic image deliveryVSAvoidsynchronization system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the requirement for synchronized shuttered spectacles by using passive optical elements (lenticular lenses and parallax barriers) that naturally separate left and right eye images through geometric optics, eliminating the need for active synchronization electronics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic synchronization system of shuttered glasses with a passive optical system using lenticular lens arrays and parallax barriers that achieve image separation through geometric light path manipulation rather than active control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables the creation of a 3D image that can be viewed in both bright and dim light conditions without the need for special eyewear, providing cost-effective and eye-catching content with depth and dimension, suitable for various environments.

Implementation Method 1

The beam combining film includes a prismatic front surface and a planar back surface, allowing for the creation of a 3D image without the need for glasses, by positioning the image sources at angular offsets and utilizing the film's transmissive and reflective incidence angles to combine images into a single 3D stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

The beam combining film includes a prismatic front surface and a planar back surface, allowing for the creation of a 3D image without the need for glasses, by positioning the image sources at angular offsets and utilizing the film's transmissive and reflective incidence angles to combine images into a single 3D stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS8836755B2Two dimensional media combiner for creating three dimensional displays

Publication Date: 2014.09.16 DISNEY ENTERPRISES INC

AI summary

A three-dimensional (3D) display device combining two-dimensional (2D) images from two image sources to create a 3D image. The 3D display device utilizes a beam combining film that includes a prismatic front surface and a planar back surface. The film transmits light striking its back surface at particular incidence angles. A first 2D image source provides a foreground image and a second 2D image source to provide a background image. First and second liquid crystal displays may be arranged with display surfaces proximate to top and bottom edges of the beam combining film and at angular offsets to emit light corresponding with a 2D image stream onto the back surface of the beam combining film at one of the film's incidence angles. The 2D image streams striking the back surface of the film are combined by the film and transmitted from the front surface as a single autostereoscopic video image.