Eye-Position-Controlled Steering for Stereoscopic Displays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autostereoscopy techniques provide a stereoscopic effect only within a narrow range of viewing angles, leading to reduced image resolution and brightness, and degrade visual quality when users deviate from these angles.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing dynamic light steering based on the relative locations of viewers, incorporating a light field display unit with a lenticular array and a light-steering optical device, to direct light towards the eyes of users, ensuring a stereoscopic effect regardless of their viewing angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lenticular array is used to generate stereoscopic images, then a stereoscopic effect can be achieved, but the viewing angle range is limited to a very narrow range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a liquid crystal lens array that can dynamically change its focal length and light steering characteristics in real-time. By applying different voltages to individual lens elements, the system can adaptively redirect light to different viewing positions, transforming a static optical system into a dynamic one that maintains stereoscopic effects across wide viewing angles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the lenticular array by using liquid crystal materials whose refractive indices can be electrically controlled. By varying the voltage applied to each lens element, the focal length and light steering angle are dynamically adjusted, enabling the system to accommodate different viewing positions and maintain image quality across expanded viewing angles
2Adaptability or versatility
If large-sized lenticules are used to increase viewing angles, then the number of viable viewing positions is marginally increased, but the effective resolution and brightness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lenticular array into many small, independently controllable lens elements rather than using a few large lenticules. Each small lens element can be individually addressed and controlled, allowing precise light steering to specific viewing positions. This segmentation enables multiple viable viewing positions while maintaining high effective resolution since each small element corresponds to a focused light path
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid crystal lens array provides multi-functionality by enabling a single small lens element to serve multiple purposes: it can steer light to different viewing positions at different times, act as a focusing element, and be dynamically reconfigured. This universal capability allows the system to achieve multiple viable viewing positions without sacrificing resolution, as the same physical structure adapts its function based on viewing requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If large-sized lenticules are used to increase viewing angles, then the viewing positions are marginally expanded, but the overall brightness of the display is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid crystal lens array dynamically concentrates and steers light to the current active viewing position rather than dispersing it across multiple fixed positions. This dynamic light concentration ensures that brightness is maintained at the target viewing position, as the optical system adapts in real-time to direct maximum light intensity to where the user's eyes are located
Solution Approach 2:
The patent electrically controls the refractive index and focal length of each liquid crystal lens element to optimize light steering efficiency. By adjusting these optical parameters, the system maximizes light transmission to the intended viewing position, maintaining high brightness levels even as viewing positions are expanded across a wider angular range
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 high-quality, accurate virtual images with enhanced depth perception and improved viewing experience by dynamically controlling light direction, allowing users to perceive stereoscopic effects accurately and realistically across various viewing angles.
Implementation Method 1
a lenticular array comprising a plurality of lenticules... directing light passing through the lenticular array in different directions
Implementation Method 2
a light-steering optical device... controlling the light-steering optical device to direct light emanating from a first set of photo-emitting cells towards a first eye and light emanating from a second set of photo-emitting cells towards a second eye
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A light field image is displayed via a light field display unit (204, 306, 500) to produce a synthetic light field (320). A light-steering optical device (212, 410, 506) is controlled, based on a relative location of a first eye (316a, 404a, 512a, 514a) and a second eye (316b, 404b, 512b, 514b) of user(s) (318) with respect to an imaginary image plane, to direct light (414a) emanating from a first set of photo-emitting cells towards the first eye and light (414b) emanating from a second set of photo-emitting cells of the light-emitting surface (208, 402, 502) towards the second eye. When controlling the light-steering optical device, a first viewing direction and a second viewing direction are determined for a given first photo-emitting cell and a given second photo-emitting cell, respectively. Light emanating from the given first photo-emitting cell and from the given second photo-emitting cell is directed along the first viewing direction and the second viewing direction, respectively.