Liquid Crystal Optical Shutter with Misalignment-Compensating Electrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

The accuracy of depth estimation in Depth From Defocus (DFD) techniques is compromised due to misalignment between the light-shielding layer and segment electrodes in liquid crystal optical shutters, leading to inaccuracies in decoded images.

Innovation Solution

A liquid crystal optical shutter design with a peripheral segment electrode surrounding the light entry region, which absorbs misalignment of the light-shielding layer, ensuring accurate mask formation by controlling electrical signals to maintain the intended aperture pattern.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the light-shielding layer is positioned to define the aperture region, then the mask formation is achieved, but misalignment between the light-shielding layer and segment electrodes occurs, compromising depth estimation accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemask formation accuracyVSAvoiddepth estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode structure is divided into multiple independent segment electrodes surrounding the light entry region, allowing independent control of each segment. This segmentation enables the system to compensate for misalignment by adjusting individual segments to maintain the correct aperture pattern, thereby preserving depth estimation accuracy despite manufacturing variations in the light-shielding layer position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the aperture are controlled by different segment electrodes with locally optimized positions. By making the electrode control locally adaptable, the system can compensate for global misalignment of the light-shielding layer, ensuring that each local region maintains its intended function for accurate depth estimation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If the aperture region is defined by the light-shielding layer, then light control is achieved, but misalignment causes inaccuracies in the decoded images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight-shielding layer fabricationVSAvoidalignment between light-shielding layer and electrodes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The segment electrodes are designed to self-compensate for misalignment through electrical control. The system automatically adjusts the electrical signals applied to different segment electrodes to maintain the correct aperture pattern, eliminating the need for precise mechanical alignment during manufacturing while ensuring accurate image decoding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the light entry region is surrounded by segment electrodes, then misalignment absorption is achieved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth estimation reliabilityVSAvoidelectrode structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the electrical parameters (voltages) applied to different segment electrodes dynamically to compensate for structural misalignment. By adjusting these electrical parameters, the system maintains the correct optical aperture pattern without requiring complex mechanical adjustments, balancing reliability with manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances the practicality of DFD techniques by maintaining accurate depth estimation despite misalignment, improving the precision of depth information in decoded images.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first transparent electrode layer and the second transparent electrode layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid crystal effect: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentUS20250231446A1Liquid crystal optical shutter and imaging device

Publication Date: 2025.07.17 JAPAN DISPLAY INC

AI summary

A liquid crystal optical shutter includes a first transparent electrode layer, a second transparent electrode layer disposed opposite the first transparent electrode layer and having a plurality of transparent segment electrodes, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first transparent electrode layer and the second transparent electrode layer, and a light-shielding layer in which an aperture corresponding to a region including a light entry region of an optical system used for the coded imaging and wider than the light entry region, and configured to shield light in a region outside the aperture, in which the plurality of segment electrodes includes a peripheral segment electrode corresponding to a peripheral region of the light entry region including an outline of the aperture, and the mask is formed by controlling electrical signals applied to the first transparent electrode layer and each of the plurality of segment electrodes.