Light Field Projection via Lens Array Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing three-dimensional displays that offer a wide field-of-view and high angular resolution while reducing the complexity and power requirements of projector arrays, as existing technologies often require high-brightness projectors and precise alignment of densely-oriented projectors.
Innovation Solution
A light field display system comprising a projector array and two lens systems, where the first lens system collimates light rays and the second lens system applies a point spread function to create a diffused, collimated beam, allowing for direct projection of a light field with reduced brightness requirements and improved packing density of projectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If densely-oriented projector arrays are used to achieve wide field-of-view and high angular resolution, then display quality improves, but system complexity and alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the projector array into multiple groups, with each group assigned to illuminate a specific lens in the lens array. This segmentation allows for simplified alignment procedures where each projector group only needs to be aligned with its corresponding lens, rather than requiring precise alignment across the entire dense projector array, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining high angular resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lens array as an intermediary between the projector array and the display screen. This lens array acts as a mediator that redistributes light from multiple projectors to create the light field effect, enabling wide field-of-view and high angular resolution without requiring direct precise alignment between all projector pairs, thereby reducing overall system complexity
2Illumination intensity
If high-brightness projectors are used to maintain image quality, then display brightness improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the output of multiple lower-brightness projectors through the lens array to collectively produce the required display brightness. By combining light from multiple projectors that each illuminate different lenses, the system achieves high display brightness without requiring any single projector to operate at high power consumption levels
Solution Approach 2:
Each projector in the array operates at reduced brightness (partial action) compared to a single high-brightness projector, but the cumulative effect of multiple projectors working together through the lens array produces sufficient overall display brightness, thereby reducing total power consumption while maintaining image quality
3Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment of densely-oriented projectors is implemented, then image quality improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the alignment task into independent sub-tasks, where each projector group is aligned with its corresponding lens rather than requiring global alignment across all projectors. This segmentation dramatically simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining the precision needed for high-quality image output
Solution Approach 2:
The lens array serves as a manufacturing intermediary that tolerates greater variations in projector positioning. By using the lens array as a mediating element, the system reduces the stringency of alignment requirements during manufacturing, making the system easier to manufacture while still achieving precise light field reconstruction
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 enables an autostereoscopic display with wide field-of-view and high angular resolution, low power consumption, and a natural, high-resolution image representation, replicating real-life imagery with reduced pixel size and alignment challenges.
Implementation Method 1
by a first lens system including an array of lenslets, collimating the light rays generated by the projector array to form a collimated beam
Implementation Method 2
by a second lens system including microarray lenslets, rendering the diffused, collimated beam into a light field
Implementation Method 3
the diffused, collimated beam received by the second lens system is diffused according to a point spread function
Data Source
AI summary
A direct projection light field display comprising an array of projectors for direct projection of a light field. The overall design and incorporation of additional optics achieve the optimal light distribution and small pixel size to produce a high definition, 3D display. The architecture of the direct projection light field display has low a brightness requirement for each projector, resulting in an increased projector density, decreased system, and a decreased power requirement, while producing a high-definition light field.