Optical Taper Array for Display Panel Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic display panels suffer from spatial non-uniformities in luminance, radiance, and chrominance due to manufacturing variations, which degrade image quality and user experience, especially in virtual reality applications.
Innovation Solution
A measuring apparatus with an array of optical elements that receive light from pixels, combine it, and emit it to light sensors for precise measurement of luminance, radiance, and chrominance parameters, using fiber optic tapers or lightpipes to homogenize light and improve measurement efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional measurement methods are used, then measurement simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision is insufficient to detect spatial non-uniformities
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system divides the display panel into multiple measurement zones using an array of optical elements positioned at different locations. Each optical element measures light from a specific region, enabling spatially-resolved measurements of luminance, radiance, and chrominance non-uniformities across the entire display surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical elements serve as intermediaries between the display panel and light sensors. These optical elements (including fiber optic tapers and lightpipes) transmit and condition light from the display to the sensors, enabling precise measurement of optical characteristics while filtering out unwanted spatial variations.
2Reliability
If the array of optical elements covers the entire display surface, then measurement completeness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical elements are designed to perform multiple functions: they collect light from the display, transmit it to sensors, and condition the light for measurement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each measurement task, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
3Measurement precision
If fiber optic tapers are used to homogenize light, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber optic tapers utilize changes in optical parameters (such as numerical aperture, core diameter, and cladding thickness) along the length of the fiber to achieve light homogenization. By carefully designing these parameter gradients, the system achieves precise measurement capability while the manufacturing precision requirements remain manageable through standard fiber fabrication techniques.
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 enables rapid and accurate measurement of display panel characteristics, allowing for effective calibration and compensation of non-uniformities, thereby enhancing the overall performance and user experience in VR environments.
Implementation Method 1
Each optical element includes a first surface facing the electronic display panel to receive light from pixels of the electronic display panel
Implementation Method 2
Each optical element further includes a second surface facing away from the electronic display panel to emit a combined version of the light received by the first surface
Implementation Method 3
the apparatus includes a light diffuser between the second surface and the light sensors to diffuse the emitted light
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for measuring characteristics of an electronic display panel includes an array of optical elements. Each optical element has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface faces the electronic display panel and receives light from pixels of the electronic display panel. The second surface faces away from the electronic display panel and has an area smaller than the area of the first surface. The second surface emits a combined version of the light received by the first surface. The apparatus further includes a light sensor facing the second surface to measure one or more parameters of the emitted light.