Parallelogram Subpixel Structure for 3D Display Optical Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing three-dimensional image display devices with optical separating units suffer from 3D moire and 3D crosstalk issues due to uneven optical separation performance, leading to discomfort and reduced display quality.

Innovation Solution

The image display device employs a lenticular lens sheet with alternately arranged convex and concave cylindrical lenses, and a refractive index distributed lens with liquid crystal and electrodes, along with a subpixel structure where subpixels are arranged in pairs with shared gate and data lines, and charging capacitor electrodes to minimize 3D moire and crosstalk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an optical separating unit (parallax barrier or lenticular lens) is used to provide different images to multiple observing points, then three-dimensional display capability is achieved, but 3D moire and luminance angular fluctuation occur causing observer discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethree-dimensional display capabilityVSAvoid3D moire and luminance angular fluctuation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the pixel electrode have different aperture widths. Specifically, the pixel electrode includes a first region with a first aperture width and a second region with a second aperture width that is different from the first. This non-uniform aperture width distribution across different regions of the pixel electrode allows for optimized light emission characteristics in different angular directions, thereby reducing 3D moire and luminance angular fluctuation while maintaining three-dimensional display capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If the aperture width of pixel electrodes is increased to improve display brightness, then luminance is enhanced, but 3D moire and uneven luminance distribution become more pronounced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay brightnessVSAvoid3D moire and uneven luminance distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing local quality through spatially varying aperture widths. Different regions of the pixel electrode have different aperture widths optimized for their specific functions: the first region with its aperture width is optimized for one observing point image, while the second region with its different aperture width is optimized for another observing point image. This allows the overall display brightness to be enhanced while maintaining uniform luminance distribution and reducing 3D moire across different viewing angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If a shielding unit (black matrix) is added to separate images for different observing points, then image separation is improved, but display area is reduced and 3D moire occurs when observing points shift

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage separation accuracyVSAvoiddisplay area
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting and eliminating the need for separate shielding units (black matrices) for image separation. Instead of adding shielding structures, the invention achieves image separation through the optical properties of the pixel electrodes themselves, which have different aperture widths in different regions. This extraction of the shielding function allows the display area to be maximized while maintaining accurate image separation for different observing points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses local quality to achieve image separation without shielding units. The pixel electrode is divided into regions with different aperture widths, where each region's local aperture characteristic enables selective light emission for specific observing points. This local differentiation of aperture widths provides the image separation function that would otherwise require shielding structures, thereby preserving display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of manufacture

If pixel electrodes with uniform aperture width are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but uneven optical separation performance and 3D crosstalk occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepixel electrode fabricationVSAvoidoptical separation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses this contradiction by implementing local quality in the pixel electrode design. While the manufacturing process remains relatively simple, the pixel electrode is designed with different aperture widths in different regions (first region with first aperture width, second region with second aperture width). This local differentiation enables reliable optical separation performance and reduces 3D crosstalk, while the overall fabrication process remains compatible with standard thin-film transistor manufacturing techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration effectively reduces 3D moire and crosstalk, enhancing the three-dimensional display quality by ensuring uniform optical separation performance and efficient light distribution.

Implementation Method 1

a lenticular lens sheet with alternately arranged convex and concave cylindrical lenses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

a refractive index distributed lens with liquid crystal and electrodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

a refractive index distributed lens with liquid crystal and electrodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid crystal optical modulation: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentEP2515158B1Image display device, display panel, and terminal device
Publication Date: 2016.07.13 NEC LCD TECH CORP
  • EP2515158B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2515158B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2515158B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A subpixel 4S has a parallelogram aperture, which is equivalent upon rotation by 180 degrees in a XY plane and asymmetric about a line R-R' or L-L' parallel to the Y-axis and passing through the center Or or Ol of the subpixel. The subpixels 4S adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction in a unit of display 4U are point-symmetric about the center Ou of the unit of display 4U. The apertures of a right-eye pixel 4R and left eye pixel 4L have the centers Or and Ol around the intersections of the diagonals of their respective parallelograms, respectively. The centers Or and Ol are shifted from a line E-E' to be away from each other in the Y-axis direction.