Holographic Panel Segmentation for Extended Depth of Field

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hologram technology has a limited depth of field (DOF), leading to limited holographic element resolution and blurry imagery beyond a certain distance from the holographic panel surface.

Innovation Solution

A composite hologram image is formed using a plurality of transparent holographic panels, each encoded with a portion of the image, stacked adjacent to each other with controlled gaps and overlapping DOFs to achieve a high DOF without altering resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If a single holographic panel is used, then the device complexity is low, but the depth of field is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth of fieldVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holographic display system is divided into multiple separate holographic panels, each contributing a specific depth range to the overall depth of field. By segmenting the DOF across multiple panels positioned at different distances from the observer, the system achieves extended depth of field while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of stationary object

If multiple holographic panels are stacked to extend DOF, then the depth of field increases, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth of fieldVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Each holographic panel is designed to cover a specific depth range with optimized element resolution for that range. By segmenting the total depth of field into multiple panels with specialized resolutions, the manufacturing precision requirement for each individual panel is reduced compared to requiring one high-precision panel to cover the entire extended depth range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different holographic panels are equipped with different element resolutions tailored to their specific depth ranges. Panels closer to the observer may have higher resolution requirements than those farther away, allowing each panel to be manufactured with precision optimized for its local function rather than requiring uniform high precision across all panels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If the holographic element resolution is increased to improve clarity, then the clarity improves, but the depth of field decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveclarityVSAvoiddepth of field
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the depth of field into multiple panels, each optimized for specific depth ranges. This allows each panel to maintain high element resolution for its designated range while the collective system achieves extended overall depth of field, resolving the trade-off between clarity and DOF extension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 composite hologram image achieves an in-focus, deep, and immersive scene by extending the DOF, with the overall depth effect increasing with the number of panels, maintaining clarity throughout the composite image.

Implementation Method 1

When the holographic medium is suitably illuminated with a light source, the interference pattern diffracts the light into a three-dimensional (3D) hologram image that exhibits visual depth cue such as parallax and perspective.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

A hologram is produced by illuminating a holographic medium (e.g., a holographic panel or print) that encodes a light field emanating from a scene as an interference pattern.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInterference: Interference

Data Source

PatentEP3563200B1Holographic image apparatus for high depth of field holograms
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC
  • EP3563200B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3563200B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3563200B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A hologram image apparatus includes a plurality of holographic panels, each holographic panel comprising a transparent panel encoded with a portion of a composite hologram image. The hologram image apparatus also includes one or more light sources configured to illuminate each holographic panel of the plurality of the holographic panels from one or more incident angles to produce the composite hologram image.