Distributed Aperture Light Field Display for 3D Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D display technologies face challenges such as low resolution, large physical size, and high manufacturing costs in volumetric displays, limited field-of-view and high costs in holographic displays, and vergence-accommodation conflict in stereoscopic displays, which affect the quality and usability of 3D experiences.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a light-emitting layer and an optical layer featuring distributed lenses, where each lens has an optical center and is interlaced with other lenses, and a spatial light modulator to control light transmission, allowing for precise focusing and collimation of light to create multiple focal planes and improve angular resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If volumetric display techniques are used to produce 3D images in true 3D space, then correct retinal focus cues are provided, but the display has low resolution, large physical size, and expensive manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the aperture into multiple distributed sub-apertures arranged in a pattern, where each sub-aperture contributes to forming a portion of the light field. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high angular resolution without requiring a single large aperture, thereby improving resolution while controlling physical size and manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from controlling only spatial domain (conventional displays) to controlling both spatial and angular domains simultaneously. By introducing angular resolution through the distributed aperture pattern, the system provides correct retinal focus cues and natural blur effects without the limitations of volumetric displays
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a single large aperture is used to reduce diffraction effects, then diffraction is reduced, but the device size increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments a single large aperture into multiple smaller distributed sub-apertures. This segmentation maintains the equivalent optical aperture area (reducing diffraction) while distributing the physical structure across a larger area, making the device more manageable in size and easier to manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple distributed sub-apertures to function as a single equivalent aperture. By coordinating the light transmission through all sub-apertures, the system achieves the diffraction reduction benefits of a large aperture while maintaining a distributed physical structure that is easier to manufacture
3Device complexity
If conventional stereoscopic displays are used, then device complexity is reduced, but the vergence-accommodation conflict remains unresolved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of light transmission through the spatial light modulator, which can independently adjust which sub-apertures are active for different focal depths. This dynamic capability allows the system to provide correct focus cues for different depths while maintaining a relatively simple flat-panel display structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial light modulator as an intermediary between the light-emitting layer and the distributed aperture. This intermediary component enables independent control of spatial and angular light distribution, resolving the vergence-accommodation conflict without requiring complex mechanical or optical systems
4Manufacturing precision
If high pixel density is used in conventional displays, then spatial resolution is improved, but angular resolution and field-of-view are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds angular resolution as a new dimension of control beyond conventional spatial resolution. By using a distributed aperture pattern with multiple sub-apertures, the system can control light direction and angle independently of pixel density, providing both high spatial and angular resolution simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the aperture control function across multiple sub-apertures, where each sub-aperture can be independently controlled by corresponding pixels. This segmentation allows the system to map spatial pixel information to angular light distribution, achieving high angular resolution without increasing pixel density
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 quality of 3D images by reducing diffraction effects, increasing spatial and angular resolution, and addressing the vergence-accommodation conflict, resulting in a more immersive and realistic 3D experience with improved resolution and reduced costs.
Implementation Method 1
an optical layer overlaying the light-emitting layer, wherein the optical layer includes a plurality of distributed lenses, each distributed lens having an optical center
Implementation Method 2
reducing diffraction effects, increasing spatial and angular resolution
Implementation Method 3
a spatial light modulator operative to provide control over which lens regions transmit light from the light-emitting layer outside the display device
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are described for providing a 3D display, such as a light-field display. In some embodiments, a display device includes a light-emitting layer comprising an addressable array of light-emitting elements. An optical layer overlays the light-emitting layer. The optical layer includes a plurality of distributed lenses. In some embodiments, the distributed lenses include non-contiguous lens regions. In some embodiments, distributed lens regions with different optical centers are interlaced with one another. A spatial light modulator is operative to provide control over which lens regions transmit light from the light-emitting layer outside the display device. In some embodiments, the use of interlaced and/or non-contiguous distributed lenses provides improved display resolution with a reduction in diffraction effects.