Dual Collimating Reflectors for 3D Display Backlight Cross-Talk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive electronic displays, which rely on external light sources for illumination, face limitations in practical applications due to their inability to emit light, necessitating the use of backlights to function as active displays.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a backlighting system that employs collimating reflectors to guide and redirect light within a light guide, utilizing a pair of collimating reflectors to collimate and redirect light at a non-zero angle, and optionally using a diffraction grating to couple out light for illumination, enabling efficient light emission for both 2D and 3D displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional backlight system is used to illuminate passive displays, then the displays can emit light and function as active displays, but cross-talk occurs and display performance deteriorates in 3D applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the backlight system into multiple independent light guide plates, with each light guide plate serving a specific viewing direction (e.g., left eye and right eye in 3D displays). This segmentation prevents cross-talk between different viewing directions while maintaining bright light emission for each direction independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different optical properties to different regions of the backlight system. Each light guide plate is optimized for its specific function (e.g., directing light to a particular eye in 3D displays), with tailored collimating reflectors and light extraction structures that provide localized optical quality matched to the specific viewing requirements of that region.
2Reliability
If collimating reflectors are used to provide directional light, then cross-talk is reduced and display performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The collimating reflectors are formed as integral parts of the light guide plates rather than separate assemblies, and the light extraction structures are incorporated directly into the light guide plate material or surface, reducing the number of discrete components while maintaining directional light control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide plates serve multiple functions simultaneously: they guide light from the light source, provide collimation through integrated reflectors, control light direction for specific viewing angles, and extract light at appropriate locations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, simplifying the overall device structure.
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
This solution enhances the light emission capabilities of passive displays, reducing cross-talk and improving display performance, particularly in 3D applications, by providing directional and collimated light beams that can be effectively used for pixel formation and viewing directions.
Implementation Method 1
a first collimating reflector located at a first edge of the plate light guide is configured to collimate light produced by the light source
Implementation Method 2
a first collimating reflector located at a first edge of the plate light guide is configured to collimate light produced by the light source and direct the collimated light into the plate light guide
Implementation Method 3
The plate light guide is configured to guide the collimated light from the first edge to a second edge
Implementation Method 4
a second collimating reflector located at the second edge of the plate light guide is configured to further collimate the guided light and redirect the further collimated light back into the plate light guide
Implementation Method 5
a second collimating reflector located at the second edge of the plate light guide is configured to further collimate the guided light and redirect the further collimated light back into the plate light guide
Implementation Method 6
a diffraction grating is configured to couple out a portion of the redirected and further collimated light
Data Source
AI summary
A backlight to emit light from a surface thereof includes a light guide to guide light, first and second collimating reflectors and a light source to produce light. The first collimating reflector is at a first edge of the light guide to collimate the light from the light source in a vertical direction and to direct the collimated light into the light guide. The second collimating reflector is at a second edge of the light guide to further collimate the collimated light in a horizontal direction and to redirect the further collimated light back into the light guide.