Optical Absorber Layout for Stray-Light Suppression in Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices suffer from non-imaging light, also known as stray light, which degrades the display quality of both virtual and augmented reality devices by interfering with the imaging light path.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an absorbing element with a specific shape and arrangement that absorbs non-imaging light while allowing imaging light to pass through, thereby improving the display quality by reducing the influence of stray light.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If an absorbing element is added to eliminate non-imaging light, then display quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful non-imaging light from the optical system by introducing an absorbing element positioned to intercept stray light paths without interfering with the main imaging light path. This selectively removes only the problematic light components while preserving the functional imaging light.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbing element acts as an intermediary component between the optical elements, serving as a mediator that absorbs non-imaging light before it can reach the user's eye. This intermediary element is strategically positioned in the optical path to perform its light-absorbing function without blocking the desired imaging light.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the absorbing element is positioned to absorb non-imaging light, then stray light influence is reduced, but the risk of blocking imaging light increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestray light influenceVSAvoidimaging light transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbing element is designed with specific local properties and positioning to perform its function only in the regions where non-imaging light is present. The element's shape, size, and location are optimized to absorb stray light in specific areas of the optical path while leaving the imaging light paths completely open and unaffected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The optical system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the imaging light path and the non-imaging light paths. The absorbing element is placed specifically in the non-imaging light zones, creating a segmented approach where different parts of the optical system handle different light types differently, ensuring imaging light remains unaffected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 absorbing element effectively eliminates non-imaging light, enhancing the clarity and quality of the displayed images in both virtual and augmented reality devices.

Implementation Method 1

an absorbing element, a shape of the absorbing element and an arrangement position of the absorbing element in the display device cause the absorbing element to absorb non-imaging light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a beam splitting element... light emitted by the image source element is reflected to the reflective element through the beam splitting element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

the beam splitting element transmits light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 4

a reflective element configured to be aligned on a light path; light emitted by the image source element is reflected to the reflective element through the beam splitting element, the reflective element reflects light to the beam splitting element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4120003B1Display device
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 BEIJING UNICORN TECH CO LTD
  • EP4120003B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4120003B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4120003B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a display device, the display device includes an optical imaging apparatus including an image source element, a beam splitting element, and a reflective element configured to be aligned on light path; and an absorbing element, a shape of the absorbing element and an arrangement position of the absorbing element in the display device cause the absorbing element to absorb non-imaging light in a scene to be displayed, and not block imaging light for generating a display image of the scene to be displayed. In the display device, the absorbing element absorbs the non-imaging light in the scene to be displayed and reduces the non-imaging light in the display device, in turn reduces influence of the non-imaging light on the scene to be displayed and improves display quality of the display image of the scene to be displayed.