Lateral Light Shifting Optic for Display Color Gamut
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display devices struggle to reproduce colors with wavelengths outside the range of red and blue subpixels without increasing pixel size, leading to reduced resolution and noticeable out-of-spec pixels that negatively impact the user's viewing experience.
Innovation Solution
The use of a display device with a plurality of subpixels and a light deviator or lateral-light-shifting optic (LLSO) that laterally shifts light emitted from subpixels, allowing the light to appear as originating from a different location, enabling improved color reproduction and resolution through mechanical rotation and optical focusing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional subpixels are used to produce colors outside the red-blue wavelength range, then color gamut is improved, but pixel size increases and resolution is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension by sequentially activating different subpixels over time. Instead of requiring all subpixels to be simultaneously present in space (which would increase pixel size), the system uses time-multiplexed activation where red, green, and blue subpixels are illuminated in sequence. The human eye's persistence of vision blends these sequential emissions into the perception of intermediate colors, effectively extending color gamut without adding spatial dimensions or increasing pixel size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic activation of subpixels with different spectral emissions. Subpixels are illuminated in repeating cycles where each subpixel type (red, green, blue) is activated in succession. This periodic action, combined with the human visual system's temporal integration, creates the perception of colors with wavelengths outside the individual subpixel ranges, thereby expanding color gamut while maintaining original pixel dimensions and resolution.
2Manufacturing precision
If subpixel sizes are reduced to maintain resolution with additional subpixels, then resolution is improved, but subpixel sizes must shrink beyond current capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic temporal control of subpixel activation. Instead of relying on static spatial arrangements that would require impractically small subpixel sizes, the system dynamically activates different subpixels in sequence over time. This temporal dynamics allows the effective utilization of existing subpixel sizes and manufacturing capabilities while achieving the functional equivalent of having additional color channels, thereby maintaining resolution without requiring subpixel sizes beyond current fabrication capabilities.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional displays use red, green, and blue subpixels, then pixel size is minimized, but colors with wavelengths outside this range cannot be reproduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of subpixel activation rather than the spatial parameters. By controlling the timing, duration, and sequence of subpixel illumination, the system generates perceptual colors with wavelengths outside the physical emission ranges of individual red, green, and blue subpixels. This parameter change in the temporal domain allows extended color reproduction capability while maintaining the original pixel size and spatial configuration.
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 solution enhances the perceived resolution and color gamut of the display by allowing light from one subpixel to appear as originating from another, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional displays and improving the user's viewing experience by reducing the impact of out-of-spec pixels.
Implementation Method 1
a light deviator or lateral-light-shifting optic (LLSO) that laterally shifts light emitted from subpixels
Implementation Method 2
an optical system configured to focus the light from the at least one light deviator to the viewer
Data Source
AI summary
A display device for projecting light to a viewer may include (1) a plurality of subpixels, in which subpixels may emit light of differing spectral distributions, (2) at least one light deviator disposed optically downstream from the plurality of subpixels, and (3) and a controller. The light emitted from each of the plurality of subpixels may be transmitted through and laterally shifted by the least one light deviator towards a viewer and the at least one light deviator may be mechanically rotatable by a force applied to an outer circumferential region of the at least one light deviator. The controller may control illumination of at least a subset of the plurality of subpixels in synchronization with rotation of the at least one light deviator. Various other apparatus, systems, and methods are also disclosed.