Directional Display Apparatus with Dynamic Optical Window Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Autostereoscopic displays face issues with reduced spatial resolution, image flicker, and increased cross-talk due to the structure of viewing windows, which are affected by the alignment of parallax components and pixel aperture shapes, limiting viewing freedom and comfort for observers.
Innovation Solution
A directional display apparatus with a transmissive spatial light modulator and a waveguide system that adjusts the number and position of optical windows based on observer position and movement, using a sensor system and control system to direct light from multiple light sources into specific viewing windows, allowing for temporally multiplexed left and right images and optimizing display settings for reduced flicker and cross-talk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of optical windows is increased to reduce display flicker, then viewing freedom and observer comfort are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of illuminated optical windows based on real-time observer position detection. When the observer is stationary, fewer windows are illuminated to reduce power consumption. When the observer moves laterally, additional windows are activated to maintain continuous image coverage and eliminate flicker, thus adapting the system behavior to operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor system detects the observer's position and feeds this information to a control system, which adjusts the illumination state of optical windows accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the number of illuminated windows is optimized based on actual viewing conditions, balancing flicker reduction with power consumption.
2Measurement precision
If the viewing window structure is adjusted to improve spatial resolution, then image quality is improved, but the alignment requirements between parallax components and pixel apertures become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The optical windows serve multiple functions: they act as viewing apertures for the observer, as illumination zones for the spatial light modulator, and as reference elements for alignment. By designing the optical windows to be adjustable in number and position, the system achieves high spatial resolution while accommodating variations in manufacturing alignment through dynamic reconfiguration.
3Reliability
If the pixel aperture shape is modified to reduce image flicker, then viewing freedom is improved, but display brightness is reduced and addressing electronics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the entire pixel aperture, the system segments the illumination function into multiple discrete optical windows that can be independently controlled. This allows the pixel aperture structure to remain intact for maintaining brightness and addressing electronics, while the selective illumination of optical windows addresses the flicker issue through dynamic adaptation to observer position.
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 achieves a balance between reducing display flicker and controlling power consumption while maintaining high image quality and spatial resolution, providing wider viewing freedom and improved observer comfort by dynamically adjusting the number and size of optical windows in response to observer position and movement.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide having an input end and first and second opposed guide surfaces for guiding light along the waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a light guiding valve apparatus including an imaging directional backlight, an illuminator array and an observer tracking system arranged to achieve control of an array of illuminators which may provide a directional display to an observer over a wide lateral and longitudinal viewing range, wherein the number of optical windows presented to the observer as viewing windows is controlled dependent on the lateral and longitudinal position or speed of an observer.