Compact Colorimeter for XR Display MTF and Color Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current colorimeters are bulky, slow, and lack the capability for real-time color calibration and modulation transfer function (MTF) measurements, which are essential for precise evaluations of near-eye display devices used in extended reality technologies.
Innovation Solution
A compact colorimeter design that includes an image sensor for central rays and optical devices to reflect marginal rays to a spectrometer, allowing for the aggregation of images and extending the capture area, enabling precise color and MTF measurements without mechanical moving parts, thus improving throughput and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional colorimeters use XYZ filters and spectroradiometers with beam splitters or flip mirrors, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and size increase, and mechanical reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the beam splitter and flip mirror components from the optical system, replacing them with a direct imaging path. The image sensor captures light directly from the display without intermediate optical elements, eliminating the complex optical train while maintaining measurement capability through digital processing and calibration algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the image sensor perform multiple functions: it captures both color information and MTF data simultaneously. By using a single sensor to gather all necessary measurement data through different optical paths and processing methods, the system eliminates the need for separate spectroradiometer and MTF measurement devices, reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If conventional colorimeters include beam splitters and flip mirrors for spectroradiometer integration, then color calibration capability is improved, but light loss and color distortion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the beam splitter from the optical path. Instead of splitting light to send portions to different sensors, the system uses a single image sensor that captures all light directly. Calibration is achieved through software algorithms that process the captured image data, eliminating light loss associated with beam splitting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical flip mirror system with a static optical path. The flip mirror that mechanically switched between imaging and spectroradiometer modes is eliminated in favor of a fixed optical configuration where the image sensor continuously captures data for both purposes through computational methods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional colorimeters use mechanical moving parts for optical switching, then measurement versatility is improved, but reliability and maintenance requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces all mechanical moving parts with a static optical system. The flip mirror and other mechanically actuated components are eliminated in favor of a fixed optical path combined with software-based measurement differentiation. This solid-state design eliminates wear, misalignment, and mechanical failure modes while maintaining measurement versatility through computational algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the same image sensor and optical path for all measurements, with the sensor and processing algorithms automatically adapting to different measurement modes (color, MTF, calibration) without requiring mechanical reconfiguration. The system serves itself by using a single static configuration for multiple purposes through software control.
4Measurement precision
If conventional colorimeters perform sequential measurements with filter switching, then measurement comprehensiveness is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous simultaneous measurement of color and MTF data through a single static optical path. The image sensor continuously captures light from the display, and processing algorithms simultaneously extract both color information and MTF characteristics from the same continuous data stream, eliminating sequential measurement cycles and filter switching delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The image sensor is designed to perform multiple measurement functions simultaneously - colorimetry, MTF analysis, and calibration - all through the same optical path and sensor array. This multi-functional approach allows comprehensive measurements to be taken in parallel rather than sequentially, dramatically improving throughput while maintaining measurement completeness.
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
The compact colorimeter provides high-accuracy, real-time color and MTF measurements, comparable to upgraded systems with spectroradiometers, while being cost-effective and free from alignment issues, allowing for efficient use in space-limited applications with enhanced sensitivity and precision.
Implementation Method 1
at least one optical device configured to reflect at least a portion of the marginal rays through a light path to a spectrometer
Data Source
AI summary
A colorimeter configured to receive central rays and marginal rays, the colorimeter including an image sensor configured for receiving the central rays to produce a first image; a spectrometer configured for receiving the marginal rays to produce a second image; and at least one optical device configured to reflect at least a portion of the marginal rays through a light path to the spectrometer, wherein the first image and the second image are aggregated to produce a total image that is more extensive than the first image.