Bent Reflector Optical Fusion for Seamless Light Field Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light field display methods face challenges such as large bandwidth requirements, reliance on expensive components, poor color uniformity, small field of view, low brightness, low resolution, haze, and diffraction artifacts, along with the need for specialized glasses and bulky devices.
Innovation Solution
The system employs multiple image sources with a bent reflector and a back reflector to fuse light by modifying polarization and angular profiles, allowing for tiling of image portions with minimal or no visible lines, using anti-reflective layers, quarter-wave plate films, and metasurfaces to correct optical aberrations and minimize curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple image sources are used to increase resolution and field of view, then the resolution and field of view are improved, but tiling gaps and visible lines appear between the image portions
Solution Approach 1:
A bent reflector acts as an intermediary optical element between multiple image sources and the viewer. The reflector redirects light from multiple image portions arranged at different orientations, merging them into a single seamless view. This mediator approach allows multiple sources to be used for high resolution while the bent reflector eliminates the harmful tiling gaps and visible lines that would otherwise be present.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar arrangement of image sources to a three-dimensional configuration where image sources are positioned at different orientations (e.g., horizontal and vertical tilts). The bent reflector then maps this three-dimensional light distribution into a two-dimensional seamless viewing area, allowing multiple image portions to be combined without visible boundaries.
2Measurement precision
If traditional display methods are used to achieve high resolution, then resolution is improved, but the device becomes bulky and requires expensive components
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is segmented into multiple independent image sources (e.g., multiple displays or display elements) that can be arranged in specific orientations. Each segment contributes to the overall resolution when combined through the bent reflector. This segmentation allows high resolution to be achieved without requiring a single large, bulky display, instead using multiple smaller, more manageable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The bent reflector introduces curvature into the optical path, allowing the system to pack multiple image sources into a compact form factor. The curved geometry enables light from multiple orientations to converge in a small viewing volume, reducing the overall device size while maintaining high resolution. This curvature-based approach is more space-efficient than traditional flat display arrangements.
3Measurement precision
If light is tiled to multiple sensors or emitted from multiple displays, then resolution is increased, but gaps between tiles appear due to bezel constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The bent reflector serves as an intermediary that bridges the gaps between multiple image sources. By strategically positioning the reflector and calculating its bend geometry, the system compensates for physical gaps and alignment imperfections between tiles. The reflector redirects light paths so that the gaps between adjacent image portions are optically filled, creating a seamless transition without requiring perfectly precise manufacturing of each individual tile.
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 enhances resolution and field of view while eliminating tiling gaps and bezel lines, providing a seamless light field experience without the need for bezel-less displays and reducing visible artifacts.
Implementation Method 1
the back reflector is configured to: modify a polarization or an angular profile of the light reflected by each of the segments
Implementation Method 2
the back reflector is configured to: modify a polarization or an angular profile of the light reflected by each of the segments
Implementation Method 3
The display system further comprises an intermediate optical component, the intermediate optical component comprising two anti-reflective layers
Data Source
AI summary
Some implementations of the disclosure describe a display system for optically fusing light, comprising: multiple image sources configured to emit light corresponding to multiple respective image portions; a bent reflector comprising multiple segments, each segment configured to receive the light emitted by a corresponding image source, and reflect the light to a back reflector that has a bend region including a first of the segments attached to a second of the segments at an angle; and the back reflector, the back reflector configured to: modify a polarization or an angular profile of the light reflected by each segment; and after modifying the polarization or the angular profile, reflect the light back to the segments such that the light passes through the segments, wherein the angle is configured such that after the light reflected by the back reflector passes through the segments, the image portions are tiled or fused.