MEMS Scanning Display Resolution via Segmented Laser Interlacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MEMS scanning display technology is limited by upper bounds on mirror scan rates, which restricts display resolution, particularly in near-eye applications, and increasing scan rates leads to increased power consumption and diffraction issues, making it difficult to achieve higher resolutions without compromising image quality.
Innovation Solution
The use of an interlaced mode with multiple lasers and variable scan rates, combined with phase offsets between interlaced frames, allows for higher resolution output without increasing mirror scan frequencies, enabling larger mirrors and optimizing image pixel spacing and resolution based on user gaze direction through eye-tracking sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If mirror scan rate is increased to achieve higher display resolution, then display resolution is improved, but power consumption increases and diffraction issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanning display system into multiple independent laser sources, each scanning a portion of the display area. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high overall resolution without requiring any single mirror to scan at excessively high rates, thereby reducing power consumption and diffraction effects while maintaining high display resolution through the combined output of multiple lasers.
2Manufacturing precision
If mirror scan rate is increased to achieve higher display resolution, then display resolution is improved, but diffraction issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the display area and using multiple laser sources, the patent reduces the scanning angle and speed requirements for individual mirrors. This segmentation approach minimizes diffraction effects that occur at high scan rates while still achieving high overall display resolution through the composite image formed by multiple lasers.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If mirror size is increased to achieve larger aperture and avoid diffraction limits, then diffraction resistance is improved, but scanning frequency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple smaller laser sources distributed across the display area, each with its own scanning mirror. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single large mirror, allowing the use of smaller mirrors that can scan at higher frequencies while collectively providing adequate aperture and resolving diffraction limits through their combined scanning coverage.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple lasers with interlaced mode and phase offsets are used, then display resolution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple laser scanning outputs into a single unified display image through interlaced mode operation and phase offset coordination. By combining the scanning patterns of multiple lasers in a synchronized manner, the system achieves high display resolution while managing device complexity through integrated control of the multiple laser sources.
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 approach achieves higher display resolution without the limitations of current MEMS technology, providing sharper images and reducing power consumption by dynamically adjusting laser output and scan parameters based on user gaze and motion, thereby enhancing image quality and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
laser light is reflected by a scanning mirror system at different angles to scan the laser across pixels of a projected image
Implementation Method 2
an eye-tracking sensor is used to detect a user's gaze direction
Data Source
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AI summary
Examples are disclosed that related to scanning image display systems. In one example, a scanning head-mounted display system includes a light source, a motion sensor, a scanning mirror system configured to scan light from the light source along at least one dimension to form an image, and a controller configured to control the scanning mirror system to scan the light to form the image, receive head motion data from the motion sensor, and adjust one or more of a scan rate and a phase offset between a first frame and a second frame of the image based upon the head motion data.