Light Path Converting Component for Virtual Image Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display devices in wearable electronic apparatuses, such as smart watches and head-mounted displays, have limited display area and resolution, restricting the size and comfort of the device for users.
Innovation Solution
A display device comprising a display component that outputs initial light and a light path converting component, which performs light path conversion to form a virtual image perceivable at a larger size than the display component, allowing for enhanced image or video display without size restrictions and reducing the device's size and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional display is used in a wearable electronic apparatus, then the device can be made compact and lightweight, but the display area and resolution are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light path converting component that projects the image from the display component into a virtual image space, effectively extending the display into a third dimension. This allows the display area to be enlarged without increasing the physical footprint of the display component itself, resolving the contradiction between display area and device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The light path converting component acts as an intermediary between the display component and the user's eye. It receives light from the display component and transforms it into a virtual image that appears larger to the user, enabling larger display area without proportionally increasing device dimensions.
2Measurement precision
If the display component size is increased to provide larger display area, then the display resolution can be improved, but the device weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
By projecting the display into virtual image space, the system achieves higher effective resolution without increasing the physical size of the display component. The virtual image provides enlarged display area with maintained or enhanced resolution characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The light path converting component creates a virtual copy of the display image that appears larger to the user. This optical copying allows the user to perceive a larger, higher-resolution image without the physical constraints of enlarging the actual display component.
3Area of stationary object
If a light path converting component is added to form a virtual image, then the perceived display size is enlarged, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light path converting component serves multiple functions: it expands the perceived display size, maintains image quality, and can be integrated into existing wearable device structures. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single component addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The light path converting component is positioned as an intermediary element that connects the display component to the user's viewing position. By placing this component in the optical path rather than requiring fundamental redesign of the entire display system, the complexity increase is minimized while achieving the desired virtual image expansion.
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
Enables larger and higher-resolution image or video display on wearable devices, improving user experience by reducing the physical size and weight of the display device, while allowing for flexible configuration and adaptable usage scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
a light path converting component configured to receive the initial light corresponding to the first image from the display component, and perform light path conversion on the initial light corresponding to the first image to form a virtual image corresponding to the first image
Data Source
AI summary
A display device and an electronic apparatus using the display device include a display component configured to output initial light corresponding to a first image; and a light path converting component configured to receive the initial light corresponding to the first image from the display component, and perform light path conversion on the initial light corresponding to the first image to form a virtual image corresponding to the first image, wherein the virtual image corresponding to the first image is capable of being perceived at a particular position and a size of the virtual image perceived is greater than a display size of the display component.