Double-Grating 3D Display Optics for Head-Motion Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current display technologies fail to provide dynamic, full three-dimensional images with high resolution and exceptional performance, especially on large screens, often requiring external accessories and being limited by low brightness and inefficient illumination methods.
Innovation Solution
An optical display system utilizing a light source and an array of double grating elements that diffract light waves in specific directions, allowing for high-efficiency, full-color, and dynamic three-dimensional displays by controlling the direction, amplitude, and color of light waves through electronically controllable gratings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional display technologies (HMDs, anaglyph, polarization-based displays) are used to achieve stereoscopic displays, then the viewer has the illusion of looking at a stereoscopic object, but only two points of view from the object are projected into the viewer's eye and the image is not sensitive to the movements of the head or the viewer's eyes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the display into multiple independently controllable light sources arranged in a three-dimensional configuration. Each light source can be independently modulated to create multiple virtual image points that move in response to head tracking data, enabling the display to adapt to head movements while maintaining stereoscopic capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements dynamic adjustment of virtual image positions based on real-time head tracking data. The light sources are dynamically controlled to shift the apparent position of virtual images as the viewer moves their head, creating a dynamic stereoscopic experience that adapts to viewer movement rather than being static
2Adaptability or versatility
If volumetric, holographic and integral displays are used to achieve full three-dimensional display, then a three-dimensional image can be projected, but these technologies are either not really dynamic or fail to project a full three-dimensional display on wide screens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex mechanical optical systems (such as rotating mirrors, moving lenses, or physical volumetric structures) with an electronically controlled array of light sources. By using electronic modulation of light intensity and timing combined with head tracking, the system achieves dynamic three-dimensional display without the mechanical complexity of traditional volumetric or holographic approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of light emission (intensity, timing, spatial distribution) from each light source based on head tracking data to create the perception of three-dimensional images. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system can project full three-dimensional displays on wide screens without requiring complex optical hardware
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional micro-display sources (DLP, LCoS, LCD) are used, then displays can be fabricated, but they either complicate the optical design or have very low efficiency and low achievable maximal brightness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the illumination function from the display elements themselves, using separate high-brightness LED light sources positioned behind the display structure. This allows the display pixels to be simple transparent or translucent elements that modulate light rather than generate it, enabling both easy fabrication and high brightness output without the limitations of self-emissive micro-display technologies
4Ease of manufacture
If color filters are used in front of subpixels to achieve color display, then full color can be displayed, but the brightness of the system is decreased by a factor of three
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing color filters in front of subpixels and accepting the brightness loss, the invention inverts the approach by using three separate LED light sources (red, green, blue) positioned behind the display. Each LED emits its primary color directly without needing a filter, and the corresponding pixel region transmits or blocks that color light. This eliminates the brightness penalty of filtering while maintaining full-color capability
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
Enables high-performance, full-color, dynamic three-dimensional displays on large screens with unlimited brightness and efficient illumination, eliminating the need for external accessories and complex collimating modules.
Implementation Method 1
an array of at least two juxtaposed double grating elements, each of the elements comprising a first grating and a second grating... wherein the first grating diffracts a light wave from the light source towards the second grating and is further diffracted by the second grating as an output light wave in a given direction
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an optical system, including a light source, a control unit, and at least one juxtaposed double grating element, including a first grating and a second grating having grating functions, the gratings being spaced apart at a constant distance from each other, each of the two gratings having a center and at least one edge and comprising at least one sequence of a plurality of lines, wherein the spacing between the lines gradually changes from the center of the grating to the edges, the sequence of the plurality of lines of at least one of the gratings has a radial symmetry, and wherein the first grating diffracts a light wave from the light source towards the second grating and is further diffracted by the second grating as an output light wave in a given direction.