Static Multiview Display Using Diffraction Gratings to Control Spurious Reflections
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic displays struggle to effectively provide a static or quasi-static three-dimensional multiview image with directional light beams that correspond to different view pixels, lacking efficient methods to encode and direct light for multiple views without spurious reflections.
Innovation Solution
A static multiview display system utilizing diffraction gratings optically connected to a light guide, where the diffraction gratings emit directional light beams by diffractive coupling or scattering, with grating characteristics determined by radial direction and location, to encode and direct light for multiple views, and spurious reflections are mitigated using absorbing layers or slanted sidewalls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If diffraction gratings are used to emit directional light beams for multiple views, then multiview display capability is improved, but spurious reflections increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful spurious reflections into beneficial effects by using absorbing layers to deliberately absorb unwanted reflected light, and by designing slanted sidewalls that redirect spurious reflections away from the viewer's line of sight, thereby eliminating their harmful impact while preserving the desired directional light beams for multiview display
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful spurious reflections from the optical path by introducing absorbing layers that selectively absorb unwanted reflected light, separating the desired directional light beams from the harmful reflections, thereby improving multiview display quality
2Object-generated harmful factors
If absorbing layers are added to mitigate spurious reflections, then reflection control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies absorbing layers only in specific locations where spurious reflections occur, rather than uniformly across the entire display structure. This localized application effectively controls reflections while minimizing the increase in device complexity by limiting the absorbing material to only where needed
3Object-generated harmful factors
If slanted sidewalls are used to redirect reflections, then reflection control is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry by slanting the sidewalls at specific angles to redirect spurious reflections away from the viewer. This asymmetric design effectively controls reflections, though it does increase manufacturing precision requirements for maintaining the correct slant angles
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 system provides a stable and efficient display of static or quasi-static multiview images with reduced spurious reflections, enabling multiple views with precise directional light beams, enhancing the display of 3D content without the need for glasses.
Implementation Method 1
A static multiview display is provided including a light guide and a spaced apart plurality of diffraction gratings. The diffraction gratings are configured to emit a plurality of directional light beams by diffractive coupling or scattering out of light guided from within the light guide.
Data Source
AI summary
A static multiview display and method of static multiview display operation provide a static multiview image using diffractive gratings to that encode pixels of the static multiview image. The static multiview display includes a light guide configured to guide plurality of guided light beams and a light source configured to provide the guided light beam plurality having the different radial directions. The static multiview display further includes a plurality of diffraction gratings configured to provide different individual directional light beams from a portion of the radially directed guided light beams. The different individual directional light beams having different intensities and directions corresponding to and representing different view pixels of the static multiview image.