Dual-Display Aerial Images for High-Luminance Depth

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerial image display devices suffer from reduced luminance and viewability due to the use of optical elements like beam splitters and polarizing plates, which can lower the luminance of both planar and stereoscopic images.

Innovation Solution

An aerial image display device with separate display units emitting first and second image light, where the second image is closer to the user and overlaps with the first, utilizing reflective optical systems and concave mirrors to create real images with different positions and luminance levels, enhancing the sense of depth and floating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If beam splitters and polarizing plates are used in aerial image display devices, then stereoscopic images can be formed, but luminance of both planar and stereoscopic images is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestereoscopic image capabilityVSAvoidluminance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is divided into two independent display units: a first display unit for planar images and a second display unit for stereoscopic images. Each display unit independently emits light without requiring beam splitters or polarizing plates, thereby eliminating luminance loss while maintaining both planar and stereoscopic capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple optical elements are used to form overlapping aerial images, then depth perception is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth perception capabilityVSAvoidoptical system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical system is segmented into two independent paths: one for forming the first aerial image from the first display unit, and another for forming the second aerial image from the second display unit. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex beam splitting and polarizing arrangements, reducing device complexity while maintaining depth perception through overlapping aerial images at different positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 device improves the sense of depth and floating of the second image by maintaining high luminance and resolution, allowing for clearer and more noticeable overlapping images with enhanced depth perception.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing reflective optical systems and concave mirrors to create real images

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

utilizing reflective optical systems and concave mirrors to create real images with different positions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFocusing: Focusing

Data Source

PatentEP4644973A1Aerial image display device

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 KYOCERA CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

An aerial image display device includes a display and at least one optical system. The display includes a first display unit that emits first image light and a second display unit that emits second image light. The at least one optical system forms a first aerial image as a real image from the first image light and forms a second aerial image as a real image from the second image light. The second aerial image is closer to a user than the first aerial image. The first aerial image and the second aerial image overlap each other in a field of view of the user.