Electronic Display Assembly with Dual Microlens Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic displays and cameras are limited in accurately capturing and displaying the full photonic environment, and integrated light field displays and cameras are not commonly found, leading to inaccurate or incomplete recreation of target light fields, bulkiness, and discomfort for users.
Innovation Solution
An electronic display assembly with a circuit board, microlens layers, an image sensor layer, and a display layer, where the logic unit layer directs signals to emulate transparency by matching the angles of incoming light detected through the first microlens layer with light emitted through the second microlens layer, allowing for accurate recreation of light fields and providing features like virtual, augmented, and mixed reality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate electronic displays and cameras are used, then device complexity is reduced, but light field recreation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines an image sensor array and a display array into a single integrated light field display device, with both arrays sharing a common substrate and corresponding spatial positions. This integration enables accurate light field recreation by directly mapping captured light angles to display angles, while the shared structure reduces overall device complexity compared to separate systems.
2Measurement precision
If integrated light field displays and cameras are used, then light field recreation accuracy is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible substrates and thin-film structures for both the image sensor array and display array, allowing the integrated light field display to maintain high light field recreation accuracy while minimizing device weight and thickness. The flexible nature enables conformal mounting and reduces material usage.
3Measurement precision
If integrated light field displays and cameras are used, then light field recreation accuracy is improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent structures the display array and image sensor array in a nested configuration where both arrays are positioned on opposite sides of a shared substrate, with corresponding pixels aligned spatially. This nesting approach enables accurate light field recreation through direct angular mapping while minimizing device volume by eliminating redundant structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from planar 2D display to 3D light field display by adding the angular dimension through microlens arrays. Each pixel pair (sensor and display) corresponds to a specific light angle, creating a four-dimensional light field representation (x, y, theta_x, theta_y) that accurately recreates three-dimensional visual information in a compact volumetric structure.
4Ease of manufacture
If separate displays and cameras are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but light field capture and display integration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light field display device into modular segments: image sensor pixels, microlens arrays, circuit board interconnections, and display pixels. Each segment can be manufactured separately using standard processes, then assembled into the integrated structure. This segmentation maintains manufacturing simplicity while enabling precise spatial correspondence between sensor and display elements for accurate light field integration.
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 provides a lightweight, accurate recreation of light fields with controllable transparency and digital display capabilities, reducing complexity, cost, and power requirements, while enabling high-resolution, three-dimensional electronics and camera arrays that can be formed into various shapes for comfortable wear.
Implementation Method 1
a first microlens layer on a first side of the circuit board. The first microlens layer includes a first plurality of microlenses
Implementation Method 2
a second microlens layer on an opposite side of the circuit board from the first microlens layer. The second microlens layer includes a second plurality of microlenses
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
In one embodiment f an electronic display assembly includes a circuit board, a first microlens layer on a first side of the circuit board; and a second microlens layer on an opposite side of the circuit board from the first microlens layer. The first microlens layer includes a first plurality of microlenses, and the second microlens layer includes a second plurality of microlenses, The electronic- display assembly further includes an image sensor layer adjacent to the first microlens layer and a display layer adjacent to the second microlens array. The Image sensor layer includes sensor pixels for detecting incoming light through the first microlenses, and the display layer includes display pixels for emitting light through the second microlenses. The electronic display assembly emulates transparency by emitting light from the second microlenses at angles that correspond to angles of the incoming light detected through the first microlenses.