Non-Uniform Pixel Resolution Display Projector
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional displays project uniformly spaced pixels, which waste energy and computational resources as they are not optimized for human vision's non-uniform perceptual resolution, with higher resolution needed only in the foveal region and lower resolution in peripheral areas.
Innovation Solution
A display device with an array of light emitters and a mirror that sweeps across angles, selectively enabling light emitters and using switchable diffusers to project pixels with non-uniform spacing, achieving higher resolution in the foveal region and lower resolution in the periphery, thereby reducing power and computational costs without impacting visual quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If uniformly spaced pixels are projected across the entire display area, then spatial resolution is maintained evenly, but energy consumption and computational resources increase unnecessarily in peripheral regions where human vision has lower resolution needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying pixel density across different regions of the display. High-resolution pixel regions are concentrated in the foveal area where human vision requires maximum detail, while peripheral regions use lower pixel density. This non-uniform distribution optimizes energy consumption by reducing the number of pixels projected in areas where high resolution is not perceptually necessary, while maintaining visual quality where it matters most.
2Measurement precision
If high spatial resolution is maintained across the entire display area, then visual quality is consistent, but computational resources and processing power are wasted in peripheral areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality by dynamically adjusting pixel density based on spatial location. The foveal region receives high computational resources to generate dense pixel patterns for maximum visual acuity, while peripheral regions receive reduced computational allocation with sparser pixel patterns. This approach significantly improves computational efficiency by eliminating redundant processing in areas where the human visual system cannot perceive fine details.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform pixel density is used throughout the display, then manufacturing and control are simplified, but visual quality does not match human perceptual characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing local quality through non-uniform pixel distribution. While the manufacturing process remains relatively simple using standard light emitter arrays and scanning mirrors, the system dynamically adjusts which pixels are activated based on their spatial position. This creates variable pixel density regions that match human visual perception characteristics, achieving high visual quality without complex manufacturing changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by making pixel density adaptive rather than static. The display controller dynamically determines which pixels to activate based on the scanned position and the corresponding region's required resolution. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to transition between high and low pixel density regions seamlessly, optimizing visual quality while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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 reduces energy and computational consumption by optimizing pixel density according to human vision's needs, maintaining visual quality by focusing higher resolution in the foveal area and lower resolution in the periphery.
Implementation Method 1
a mirror configured to reflect light from the light emitters towards an image plane
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2F
AI summary
A display device includes an array of light emitters and a mirror configured to reflect light from the light emitters toward an image plane. The display device further includes a controller configured to control the array of light emitters and the mirror to sweep the mirror through a range of angles, and selectively enable the light emitters during sweeping of the mirror. The selective enablement of light emitters, and the sweeping of the mirror, are configured to cause emitted light from the light emitters to project a plurality of pixels on/toward the image plane, with the pixels being spaced with a non-uniform resolution.