Dual-Program Display Using Polarized Light Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to allow multiple users to independently view and listen to different programs on the same display without interference, as they typically require separate displays or complex synchronization methods.

Innovation Solution

The system uses polarized light to display two different programs on the same display, with users wearing glasses that filter out light from the program they do not want to view, allowing each user to see only their intended program by alternating frames of each program using differently polarized light, and optionally using active shutter glasses for synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple users view different programs on the same display using existing technologies, then separate displays or complex synchronization methods are required, but this increases device complexity and reduces display efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple users viewing different programsVSAvoidseparate displays or complex synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display output is segmented into multiple independent program streams, each assigned to a specific user. The system divides the single display's content into distinct program channels that can be independently controlled and viewed by different users simultaneously through polarized light separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Polarized light filters in the glasses act as intermediaries between the display and each user's eyes. These filters selectively transmit or block polarized light from specific programs, enabling multiple users to view different content on the same display without requiring separate displays or complex synchronization systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the entire display is used for each program, then display area is maximized, but other users cannot view their intended programs without interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay area for each programVSAvoidlight interference from other programs

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light from different programs is assigned different polarized orientations, creating local quality differences in the light properties. Each user's glasses contain polarized filters that selectively transmit only the light with the matching polarization orientation, allowing the entire display area to be used for each program while preventing cross-interference through polarization-based spatial filtering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If polarized light is used to display different programs, then users can view different content on the same display, but users need specialized glasses with polarized filters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent program viewingVSAvoidpolarized filter glasses

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical separation methods (such as separate displays or physical barriers) with an optical field-based solution using polarized light. This substitution allows multiple independent program streams to coexist in the same physical space without requiring complex mechanical synchronization or separate display devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 two users to simultaneously and independently view and listen to different programs on the same display, utilizing the entire display for each program without interference, through the use of polarized light and synchronized glasses, enhancing user experience and display efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Successive frames of a first program are displayed using light polarized in one direction in an alternating manner with frames of a second program using light polarized in another direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 2

A user wears eyeglasses with filters to filter out light from the program which they do not want to view, while allowing the light from the program they do want to view to be seen by the user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization filtering: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentUS9756224B2Apparatus, method and article for a dual-program display

Publication Date: 2017.09.05 DISH TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A system for enabling two different users to independently view and listen to two completely different programs on the same display at the same time is provided. A user wears eyeglasses with filters to filter out light from the program which the user does not want to view, while allowing the light from the program the user does want to view to be seen by the user. Successive frames of a first program are displayed using light polarized in one direction in an alternating manner with frames of a second program using light polarized in another direction. A first user wears glasses with lenses configured to filter out the light from the second program while a second user wears glasses to filter out the light from the first program. Thus, while wearing the glasses, the first user can see the first program while watching the display, but not the second program. Simultaneously, while wearing the other glasses, the second user will see the second program, but not the first program.