Dual Layer Backlight for 2D/3D Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive electronic displays, which rely on external light sources for illumination, are limited in their application due to their inability to emit light, necessitating the use of backlights to function as active displays, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A dual layer backlight system is employed, featuring a first planar backlight for 2D information display and a second planar backlight with a multibeam diffraction grating for 3D information display, allowing for the emission of light beams with different principal angular directions to create a light field, enabling 'glasses-free' 3D viewing without the need for external illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single planar backlight is used for 2D display, then the display structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the display cannot provide 3D viewing capability
Solution Approach 1:
The backlight system is divided into two separate planar backlights: a first planar backlight for 2D display and a second planar backlight with multibeam diffraction grating for 3D display. Each backlight is optimized for its specific function, allowing the system to switch between 2D and 3D modes by activating the appropriate backlight layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-planar backlight to a dual-layer backlight structure, adding a vertical dimension to the illumination system. The second planar backlight incorporates a multibeam diffraction grating that emits light in multiple angular directions, enabling 3D viewing capability while maintaining a planar form factor.
2Ease of operation
If external light sources are used to illuminate passive displays, then the displays can function as active displays, but the system becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light source functionality directly into the display structure by integrating planar backlights with the display panel. This eliminates the need for separate external light sources and their associated mounting, alignment, and control mechanisms, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining active display capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system becomes self-illuminating through the integrated planar backlights that are built into the display structure itself. The backlights automatically provide the necessary illumination for both 2D and 3D display modes without requiring external lighting equipment, making the system more convenient and efficient.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a dual layer backlight system is implemented, then both 2D and 3D display capabilities are achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The dual layer backlight system is designed as separate, independently manufacturable modules: a first planar backlight module and a second planar backlight module with integrated multibeam diffraction grating. Each module can be manufactured and tested separately before being assembled into the final display system, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs universal planar backlight designs that can serve multiple purposes. The same planar backlight structure used for 2D display can also serve as the base layer for 3D display when combined with the multibeam diffraction grating, reducing the need for completely separate lighting systems and simplifying manufacturing.
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 enables a single display system to switch between 2D and 3D modes, expanding its application range by eliminating the need for external light sources and enhancing display capabilities with directional light emission for 3D viewing.
Implementation Method 1
a second planar backlight with a multibeam diffraction grating for 3D information display, allowing for the emission of light beams with different principal angular directions to create a light field
Data Source
AI summary
A dual layer backlight employs a first planar backlight to emit light and a second planar backlight to provide a plurality of coupled-out light beams. The second planar backlight includes a plate light guide and a multibeam diffraction grating configured to diffractively couple out a portion of a guided light beam within the plate light guide as the plurality of coupled-out light beams. A light beam of the coupled-out light beam has a different principal angular direction from other light beams of the coupled-out light beam plurality. A two-dimensional/three-dimensional (2D/3D) mode-switchable electronic display includes the dual layer backlight and a light valve array configured to selectively modulate emitted light as 2D pixels in a first mode and the coupled-out light beams as 3D pixels corresponding to the different 3D views in a second mode of the electronic display.