Glasses-Free 3D Display Using Holographic Optical Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D display technologies using parallax barriers and lenticular films face issues such as image blocking, dark images, interference between adjacent images, and low production yield, necessitating a more advanced solution for clear 3D image representation without the need for polarized glasses.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus incorporating LED display units, light guide units with holographic optical elements (HOEs), and CMOS backplanes to guide and direct image lights, allowing for clear 3D image representation without glasses, with the use of multiple LED display panels emitting different wavelengths and HOEs to define propagation paths for image lights, enabling full-color, high-quality 3D imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If parallax barriers are used to achieve 3D display without glasses, then the need for polarized glasses is eliminated, but images are blocked and appear dark
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light guide unit as an intermediary component between the display panel and the viewer's eyes. This light guide unit captures light from the display panel and redirects it through total internal reflection, allowing the light to reach the viewer without being blocked by parallax barriers, thus maintaining image brightness while enabling glasses-free 3D display
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical blocking system of parallax barriers with an optical guiding system using light guides and HOEs. Instead of physically blocking light paths with opaque barriers, the system uses optical phenomena (total internal reflection and holographic diffraction) to redirect light, eliminating the brightness loss associated with mechanical barriers
2Ease of operation
If lenticular films are used to achieve 3D display without glasses, then the need for polarized glasses is eliminated, but interference between adjacent images occurs and production yield is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces holographic optical elements (HOEs) as intermediary components that selectively diffract light from different regions of the display panel to different viewing angles. These HOEs act as precise optical mediators that direct left-eye and right-eye images to the correct eyes without interference, replacing the problematic lenticular film structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters by using holographic diffraction instead of refractive lensing. The HOEs are designed with specific diffraction angles and wavelengths that precisely control light propagation, eliminating the interference problems inherent in lenticular films while maintaining high image clarity
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple LED display panels are used to output different wavelength image lights, then full-color 3D imaging is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple LED display panels (red, green, blue) onto a single substrate, integrating them into one unified display structure. This combining approach maintains the full-color capability while reducing overall device complexity compared to using separate panels for each wavelength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional display system where a single integrated display unit performs multiple functions: it generates red, green, and blue light simultaneously, drives multiple light guides, and produces full-color 3D images. This universal approach reduces the number of separate components needed while achieving comprehensive functionality
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 clear, high-quality 3D images to both eyes without the need for polarized glasses, is not size-limited, and is applicable to both large and micro-displays, offering a simple and lightweight structure.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of in-coupling holographic optical elements (HOEs) arranged in the in-coupling zones to define the propagation path of the image lights through the light guide unit
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of waveguides guiding the image lights individually received in the plurality of in-coupling zones to the out-coupling zone
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of out-coupling HOEs arranged in the out-coupling zone to define a path through which the image lights guided through the light guide unit are sent outside the light guide unit
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus is disclosed. The display apparatus includes: at least one LED display unit including a plurality of LED display panels outputting image lights; a light guide unit including a plurality of in-coupling zones where the image lights are received and a single out-coupling zone to which the received image lights are guided; a plurality of in-coupling holographic optical elements (HOEs) arranged in the in-coupling zones to define the propagation path of the image lights through the light guide unit; and a plurality of out-coupling HOEs arranged in the out-coupling zone to define a path through which the image lights guided through the light guide unit are sent outside the light guide unit.