Complex Light Modulator for Holographic Display Noise Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current 3D image display methods, such as glasses-type and holographic techniques, face limitations in viewpoint implementation and cause viewer fatigue due to binocular parallax discrepancies, while existing holographic display methods suffer from noise and resolution issues in generating high-quality holographic images.

Innovation Solution

A complex light modulator comprising a phase modulator and an amplitude modulator, configured to generate complex pixels with specific light modulation characteristics, including overlapping sub-complex pixels in a 3x3 format, to achieve high-resolution and low-noise holographic image reproduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional holographic display methods are used, then 3D image display is achieved, but noise and resolution issues occur in holographic image generation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholographic image resolutionVSAvoidnoise in holographic image
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides each complex pixel into multiple sub-complex pixels arranged in a 3x3 matrix pattern. This segmentation allows independent control of amplitude and phase for each sub-complex pixel, enabling precise manipulation of light modulation characteristics to reduce noise and improve resolution in the generated holographic image.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent assigns different light modulation characteristics to different sub-complex pixels within each complex pixel. By locally optimizing the amplitude and phase parameters of individual sub-complex pixels, the system achieves high-resolution holographic image generation while suppressing noise through differentiated local control rather than uniform modulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If complex pixels are divided into sub-complex pixels in a 3x3 format, then resolution is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholographic image resolutionVSAvoidcomplex light modulator structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the amplitude modulation and phase modulation functions into a unified complex light modulator system. By merging these functions and using overlapping sub-complex pixels shared among adjacent complex pixels, the system achieves high resolution without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same physical elements serve multiple functional roles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sub-complex pixels are designed to serve multiple functions: they contribute to both amplitude and phase modulation, and are shared among multiple adjacent complex pixels. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high-resolution holographic imaging without requiring separate dedicated elements for each function, thereby controlling device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If overlapping pixels are implemented in adjacent complex pixels, then noise is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise reductionVSAvoidcomplex pixel fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested structure where sub-complex pixels are organized within complex pixels, and overlapping sub-complex pixels are shared among multiple complex pixels. This nesting approach allows noise reduction through coherent integration of overlapping regions while maintaining a systematic fabrication process that follows a hierarchical pattern, reducing manufacturing complexity compared to non-nested designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 solution enhances the resolution and reduces noise in holographic image generation, providing a wider viewing window and improved viewer experience by effectively managing zero-order and high-order noise, thus overcoming the limitations of existing methods.

Implementation Method 1

a phase modulator (130), and an amplitude modulator (110)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase modulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 2

a phase modulator (130), and an amplitude modulator (110)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAmplitude modulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 3

when light is radiated onto a hologram pattern having recorded thereon an interference pattern obtained by interference between object light reflected from an original object and reference light, the light is diffracted and an image of the original object is reproduced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 4

an interference pattern obtained by interference between object light reflected from an original object and reference light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Data Source

PatentEP4060422B1Complex light modulator, holographic display apparatus, and method of generating hologram pattern
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4060422B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4060422B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4060422B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a complex light modulator including a phase modulator, and an amplitude modulator, wherein the phase modulator and the amplitude modulator are configured to generate a first complex pixel having first complex light modulation characteristics and a second complex pixel having second complex light modulation characteristics, wherein the first complex pixel includes first sub-complex pixels that are provided in a 3x3 format and are configured to implement the first complex light modulation characteristics, wherein the second complex pixel includes second sub-complex pixels that are provided in a 3x3 format and are configured to implement the second complex light modulation characteristics, and wherein the first complex pixel and the second complex pixel respectively include a first overlapping pixel that is included in the first sub-complex pixels and the second sub-complex pixels.