Micro-LED Catadioptric Display for High-Contrast Ambient Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display technologies face challenges in achieving high contrast and efficiency in brightly illuminated environments due to ambient light reflections, which degrade image contrast and increase power consumption, especially in outdoor and indoor settings where stray light affects the display's performance.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus comprising a plurality of micro-LEDs aligned with catadioptric optical elements and a low reflection screen, which minimizes reflections and provides high uniformity, efficiency, and dynamic range by using a light absorbing structure with a microstructured surface and acoustic apertures, allowing for scalable and cost-effective large-area displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an AR (anti reflection coating) layer is provided to reduce reflected luminance, then image contrast is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and the coating is susceptible to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The display surface is segmented into multiple layers: a transparent substrate, a light absorbing structure with microstructured surface, and light transmitting apertures. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function - the microstructured surface absorbs stray light while the apertures transmit display light, achieving contrast improvement without expensive AR coatings
Solution Approach 2:
The light absorbing structure converts harmful reflected ambient light into beneficial absorbed energy. The microstructured surface with low reflectivity absorbs stray light that would otherwise degrade image contrast, transforming the harmful reflection effect into a benefit for improving display quality
2Illumination intensity
If packaged LED chips are used with black plastic resin to suppress background light reflections, then contrast is improved, but light absorption increases and power consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The light absorbing structure employs a porous or microstructured surface that provides high light absorption capability. This microstructured surface absorbs stray light effectively while maintaining low absorption of the display light passing through the apertures, improving contrast without excessive power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a two-dimensional planar black matrix to a three-dimensional microstructured light absorbing surface. This dimensional change allows the structure to absorb light from multiple angles and directions, providing superior contrast performance with better light management efficiency
3Manufacturing precision
If micro-LEDs with dimensions less than 100 microns are used to provide high resolution displays, then manufacturing precision is improved, but alignment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The micro-LED array, catadioptric optical elements, and light transmitting apertures are merged into a single integrated display apparatus. This merging reduces the number of separate components that need alignment, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining high resolution through the micro-LED technology
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 achieves high contrast ratios and reduced power consumption by minimizing reflections and optimizing light distribution, enabling high-resolution, high-luminance displays with improved image fidelity and efficiency in various ambient conditions.
Implementation Method 1
catadioptric optical elements
Implementation Method 2
catadioptric optical elements
Implementation Method 3
light absorbing structure with a microstructured surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A display apparatus comprises an array of micro-LEDs and an aligned array of catadioptric optical elements wherein the array of micro optics is further aligned to an array of apertures of a low reflection screen. Advantageously such an arrangement provides a display with large images of configurable size, low cost and high brightness that can achieve high contrast in high illuminance from ambient lighting while also achieving high luminous efficiency.