Field Evolving Cavity Polarization Clock for Optical Depth Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light field display methods face limitations such as large bandwidth requirements, reliance on expensive components, poor color uniformity, small field of view, low brightness, haze and diffraction artifacts, limited depth range, and incompatibility with existing display drivers, which restrict their use in commercial and industrial settings.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a display system that utilizes a Field Evolving Cavity (FEC) with a polarization clock to modulate the polarization of light during multiple round trips, allowing for programmable optical depth modulation and increased optical depth without the need for tunable lenses or curved surfaces, thereby enhancing image resolution and brightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multi-focal method is used to produce clean images, then image quality is improved, but device size becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical path by introducing a waveguide structure that divides light propagation into multiple discrete bounces between coupling optics and the waveguide surface. This segmentation allows the system to achieve multi-focal depth effects without requiring a bulky multi-focal lens assembly, as each bounce corresponds to a different virtual image depth plane.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by integrating the depth modulation functionality within a planar waveguide structure that is itself embedded in the display device. The coupling optics are positioned to interact with the waveguide in a nested configuration, allowing multiple optical functions (display, depth modulation, focusing) to be compactly integrated without increasing overall device volume.
2Volume of moving object
If super multi-view method is used to provide compact form factor, then device size is reduced, but viewing zone and image resolution are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control of light propagation by using controllable coupling optics that can selectively couple light into the waveguide at different positions and angles. This dynamic control enables the system to adjust the viewing zone and focus on different depth planes, overcoming the static limitations of super multi-view methods while maintaining compact form factor.
3Manufacturing precision
If computational method is used to increase image resolution, then image resolution is improved, but haze and temporal flickering artifacts are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces computational image processing methods with a physical optical system using waveguide-based light propagation and coupling. This mechanical/optical substitution achieves depth resolution and image quality improvement through physical light path control rather than computational algorithms, thereby avoiding the haze and temporal flickering artifacts that plague computational approaches.
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing display drivers are used, then compatibility is maintained, but bandwidth requirements are large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic modulation of light coupling into the waveguide, where the coupling optics are activated in periodic sequences corresponding to different depth planes. This periodic action allows the system to encode depth information in the temporal domain, reducing the bandwidth requirements compared to simultaneously driving all depth planes, while maintaining compatibility with existing display driver architectures through frame-by-frame operation.
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 approach enables deeper optical depth extraction from thinner cavities with low loss, improving image quality and brightness while reducing the need for expensive components, and allowing for compact form factors in devices like head-mounted displays and smartphones.
Implementation Method 1
the FEC configured with a polarization clock that modulates a number of round trips the light travels within the FEC, between the cavity entrance and the cavity exit, by changing the polarization of the light during each round trip
Implementation Method 2
the binary polarization clock comprises a liquid crystal slab positioned at the cavity exit, wherein the binary polarization clock is configured to change the polarization of the liquid crystal slab between a first state that reflects the light back toward the cavity entrance
Data Source
AI summary
Some implementations of the disclosure are directed to modulating a number roundtrips that light travels within a cavity to modulate optical depth. In one implementation, a display system includes: a display configured to emit light corresponding to an image; a first optical component positioned in front of the display, the first optical component configured to pass the light to a field evolving cavity (FEC); and the FEC, where the FEC includes a cavity entrance and a cavity exit, the cavity entrance configured to receive the light passed by the first optical component, the FEC configured with a polarization clock that modulates a number of round trips the light travels within the FEC, between the cavity entrance and the cavity exit, by changing a polarization of the light during each round trip.