Binocular Display Contrast Uniformity via Screen Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional binocular displays often cause visual discomfort due to uneven optical contrast between the left and right eyes, which varies with interpupillary distance, leading to reduced contrast and increased discomfort for users with non-average distances.

Innovation Solution

The binocular display system balances asymmetric directional contrast between the left and right eyes by rotating one display screen relative to the other, ensuring similar contrast variations for a range of interpupillary distances, thereby reducing eyestrain and discomfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If display screens are positioned to produce uniform contrast for average interpupillary distance, then contrast uniformity is improved for average users, but contrast uniformity deteriorates for users with non-average interpupillary distances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrast uniformityVSAvoidadaptability to different interpupillary distances
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally introducing a compensating asymmetric element (the rotated display screen) to counterbalance the inherent asymmetric contrast variation of display screens. By rotating one display screen relative to the other, the system creates an asymmetric configuration that compensates for viewing angle-dependent contrast asymmetry, achieving improved contrast uniformity across different interpupillary distances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Illumination intensity

If display screens are positioned for optimal contrast at a specific viewing angle, then contrast is improved at that angle, but contrast deteriorates at other viewing angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical contrastVSAvoidcontrast consistency across viewing angles
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the counterweight principle by introducing an opposing asymmetric effect through rotation of one display screen. This rotational offset acts as a compensating mechanism that counterbalances the contrast degradation caused by viewing angle deviations, effectively weighting the optical path to maintain more uniform contrast across different viewing conditions and interpupillary distances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Data Source

PatentEP1979781B1Binocular display with improved contrast uniformity
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 TDG ACQUISITION COMPANY
  • EP1979781B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1979781B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1979781B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A binocular display deals with an optical contrast imbalance problem between display screens manifest over a range of interpupillary distances by orienting contrast asymmetries between the display screens in opposite directions.