Light Field Display Depth Layering with Overlapped Ranges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light field near-eye display technologies generate defects and disordered images due to simplification of image processing, leading to unclear three-dimensional virtual images when dividing images into layers based on depth differences.

Innovation Solution

A light field display apparatus and method that provides depth values to a processor to form partially overlapped layered images using extended depth value ranges, reducing defects at discontinuous depth parts and enhancing the three-dimensional sense of depth in the viewed image.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the image is divided into layers based on depth differences to simplify image processing, then the computation complexity is reduced, but defects and disordered images are generated at discontinuous depth parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage processing complexityVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The image is segmented into multiple depth layers, with each layer containing pixels corresponding to a specific depth range. This segmentation allows simplified processing of each layer while maintaining overall image quality through proper layer reconstruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an extended depth value range dimension that overlaps between adjacent layers. Instead of strict non-overlapping depth ranges, the extended ranges create a dimensional buffer that prevents defects at depth discontinuities while maintaining processing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the three-dimensional image with depth information is digitally layered to simplify image processing, then the computation is simplified, but defects are generated at discontinuous parts of depths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage processing efficiencyVSAvoidimage continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by extending the depth value ranges of adjacent layers before reconstruction. This pre-extension prevents the generation of defects at depth discontinuities during the reconstruction process, ensuring image continuity while maintaining processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The extended depth value ranges act as a cushioning mechanism between adjacent layers. This beforehand cushioning compensates for the discontinuities that would otherwise occur at depth boundaries, preventing defects and maintaining image reliability throughout the reconstruction process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP3471411B1Light field display apparatus and display method of light field image
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 CORETRONIC CORPORATION
  • EP3471411B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3471411B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3471411B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A display method of a light field image adapted to a light field display apparatus is provided. The display method includes the following: providing an image having a plurality of depth values, wherein the depth values represent degrees of distance of the image; respectively obtaining a plurality of pixels in the image corresponding to the depth values respectively falling within a plurality of different extended depth value ranges based on the extended depth value ranges to from a plurality of layered images, wherein the extended depth value ranges are different from each other and are partially overlapped in sequence; forming the light field image based on the plurality of layered images; and providing a signal corresponding to the light field image to a display of the light field display apparatus. In addition, the light field display apparatus is also provided.