Floating Hologram Prism Array Asymmetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D stereoscopic image display technologies, such as polarized glasses and shutter glasses methods, cause eye strain and limit viewing angles, while glasses-free methods like lenticular and parallax barrier methods result in low-brightness and low-resolution images, and high manufacturing costs, failing to provide real-time high-quality stereoscopic images.
Innovation Solution
A floating hologram apparatus using a prism array with multiple prisms, where the first and second facets have different angles, refracting rays of first and second hologram images to project them onto distinct positions, allowing for simultaneous projection of object and background images without the need for multiple displays, and incorporating filters and polarizing films to control field of view and chromatic dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a half mirror is used to reflect an image, then a virtual image is obtained, but the physical size of the system becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical elements (prisms, filters, and display units) into a compact integrated system. The first and second display units are positioned adjacent to each other with their display surfaces facing opposite directions, and the optical elements are arranged in a compact configuration between the displays and the viewer, eliminating the need for large separate optical components like half mirrors while still achieving virtual image formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a prism array that refracts light in multiple dimensions simultaneously. The prisms are arranged in a matrix pattern where each prism handles specific spatial coordinates, allowing the system to achieve compact physical size while maintaining the virtual image property through multi-dimensional light manipulation rather than relying on single-dimension reflection.
2Productivity
If a concave mirror, Fresnel lens, or prism array is used, then real-time stereoscopic images can be provided, but the manufacturing cost increases and viewing angle becomes narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple independent prism units arranged in an array, where each prism handles a specific portion of the image. This segmentation allows for simpler manufacturing of individual prism units that can be mass-produced, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining the capability to provide real-time stereoscopic images through the collective action of all prisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs different types of filters (first filter and second filter with different transmission characteristics) for different spatial regions. The first filter is positioned for the first display unit and the second filter for the second display unit, with each filter optimized for its specific region's lighting and image characteristics, allowing cost-effective local optimization rather than requiring expensive uniform high-performance optics across the entire system.
3Device complexity
If a prism array with same-angle facets is used, then image projection is simplified, but chromatic dispersion increases and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs prisms with asymmetric facet angles where the first facet angle differs from the second facet angle. This asymmetry is specifically designed to compensate for chromatic dispersion by introducing opposite dispersion effects that cancel each other out, thereby maintaining simple prism array structure while significantly improving image quality and reducing chromatic aberration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the angular parameters of the prism facets from symmetric (equal angles) to asymmetric (different angles). Specifically, the first facet has a different angle of incidence than the second facet, which modifies the dispersion characteristics of the prism array. This parameter change allows the system to maintain structural simplicity while achieving superior image quality by controlling chromatic dispersion through careful angular design.
4Reliability
If multiple displays are used to project object and background images, then stereoscopic effect is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple displays into a single display unit that can present both object and background images. The first and second display units are integrated such that they share common structural components and optical paths, allowing the system to achieve stereoscopic effects without requiring completely separate display systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the display units to serve multiple functions: the first display unit presents both object images and background images, and the second display unit similarly presents both types of images. This multi-functionality allows a single display unit to perform what would traditionally require multiple specialized displays, reducing device complexity while maintaining the stereoscopic effect.
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 the projection of high-quality, real-time stereoscopic images with improved depth perception and reduced system size, while minimizing chromatic dispersion and eye strain, allowing for a wide field of view without image overlap.
Implementation Method 1
a prism array positioned in front of the display and configured to refract rays of the first hologram image and the second hologram image
Implementation Method 2
a first filter for controlling a field of view configured to block a ray incident at an angle within a first range among rays of the first hologram image and a second filter for controlling a field of view configured to block a ray incident at an angle within a second range among rays of the second hologram image
Implementation Method 3
a first-type polarizing film is attached to the first output area and a second-type polarizing film having polarized light property orthogonal to the first-type polarizing film is attached to the second output area
Data Source
AI summary
A floating hologram apparatus includes a display including a first output area to output a first hologram image and a second output area to output a second hologram image and a prism array positioned in front of the display and configured to refract rays of the first hologram image and the second hologram image. The prism array includes multiple prisms of which a first facet to which a ray of the second hologram image is incident and a second facet to which a ray of the first hologram image is incident have different angles.