Color Optoelectronic Array with Waveguide Light Combining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optoelectronic devices face challenges in efficiently combining and redirecting light colors from different sources, particularly in high-resolution displays, which are bulky and require precise alignment, making them unsuitable for wearable electronics.
Innovation Solution
The use of a linear color combinator with reflectors and color conversion layers to redirect and combine light from multiple sources, coupled with a waveguide structure to maintain alignment accuracy and compactness, allowing for high-resolution color displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional methods are used to combine light colors from different sources, then color display capability is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and alignment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources (red, green, blue LEDs) and their control circuits into a single integrated microdevice structure. The light mixing structure integrates multiple light guides and color conversion layers within one pixel unit, merging functions that traditionally required separate components. This integration directly reduces device bulkiness while maintaining full color display capability through the combined output of integrated light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from planar light source arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked architecture. Multiple light sources are arranged vertically in layers rather than horizontally, with corresponding control circuits positioned on different levels. This vertical integration reduces the horizontal footprint and overall device area while maintaining all necessary color channels and control functions within each pixel.
2Measurement precision
If multiple different microdevices are used per pixel for high resolution, then display quality improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pixel structure into distinct functional layers (red LED layer, green LED layer, blue LED layer, light mixing structure, color conversion layers) that can be manufactured separately and then integrated. This modular segmentation allows each layer to be optimized and manufactured using standard processes, then combined through precise alignment techniques, achieving high resolution without requiring entirely custom manufacturing for each pixel type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal microdevice structure where a single integrated pixel unit contains all necessary components (multiple light sources, control circuits, light mixing structures) to function independently. This universal design eliminates the need for different manufacturing processes for different pixel types, as each pixel is self-contained with all color channels and control electronics, simplifying mass production while maintaining high display resolution.
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 high-resolution color displays with improved alignment accuracy and compact design, suitable for wearable electronics by efficiently combining light colors from different sources.
Implementation Method 1
a first array of optoelectronic devices coupled to a waveguide structure, passing a light from the array to one side of the waveguide or the light from the one side being passed to the first array
Implementation Method 2
redirecting an input light or output light on the one side of the waveguide by a reflector in a substantially a same direction as a light direction in a waveguide
Implementation Method 3
converting least one of the image sources to a different color using color conversion layers
Data Source
AI summary
Structures and methods are disclosed for fabricating a color optoelectronic solid state array device. In one embodiment, different color devices and optical structures are combined to form a color optoelectronic solid state array. The optical structure comprise of light distribution layer, light extraction layer, waveguide, reflective layers, linear color combinator. In another embodiment, a method to combine light colors in a color microdevice array is disclosed.