Phase-Modulated Projection System for Targeted Information Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing visual information display systems lack flexibility and often result in information overload, making it difficult for recipients to distinguish between important and less important content, and they fail to provide targeted information access to specific recipients while keeping it invisible to others.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a projector device with a light source and an information imprinting device for phase modulation, along with a filter device that can selectively convert phase-modulated information into amplitude modulation, allowing for flexible and targeted display of visual information based on the projection surface and viewing point configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If visual information is displayed in public space using conventional projection systems, then information can be transmitted to observers, but information overload occurs and important content cannot be distinguished from less important content

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation distinguishabilityVSAvoidprojection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modulating the phase of light waves to encode information. By changing the phase parameter of the projection light and using phase-maintaining projection surfaces, the system can embed invisible information that is recoverable through phase-sensitive detection, thereby improving information distinguishability without adding complex display hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces phase-maintaining projection surfaces as intermediaries between the projector and observers. These surfaces act as mediators that preserve phase information of the projection light, enabling hidden information transmission. The surfaces are specially designed to maintain phase relationships while appearing as ordinary surfaces to casual observers, thus solving the information distinguishability problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If visual information is made accessible to the public, then information can be widely distributed, but targeted information access to specific recipients cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetargeted information deliveryVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different phase modulation patterns to different spatial locations on the projection surface. Each region can be configured with specific phase characteristics that encode information visible only to observers at corresponding positions. This enables targeted information delivery to specific recipients at specific locations without requiring complex access control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the projection information into different phase-modulated channels that can be independently decoded by observers with appropriate phase-sensitive detection. By dividing the information stream into spatially or temporally separated phase-encoded components, the system can provide different information to different observers simultaneously, achieving versatile targeted delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of information

If phase modulation is used to conceal information in projection light, then information can be made invisible to general observers, but the system requires phase-maintaining projection surfaces and filter devices that increase complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation visibility controlVSAvoidoptical component complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses phase-maintaining projection surfaces that create a phase-preserving copy of the projection light pattern. Instead of requiring complex real-time modulation devices at the projection surface, the system embeds phase information in the projection light that is passively preserved by the special surface properties, reducing the complexity of active optical components while maintaining information concealment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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

Enables highly flexible and personalized display of visual information, allowing specific content to be visible only to intended recipients while appearing as an isotropic luminous field to others, reducing information overload and enhancing targeted information delivery.

Implementation Method 1

an information imprinting device which is set up for two-dimensional spatial and in particular also temporal imprinting of information by means of phase modulation in a beam path of the projector device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase modulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 2

A filter device that can filter out phase-modulated information or make it visible is accordingly designed in such a way that light or radiation with a different phase or different polarization selectively passes through the filter device or does not pass and is filtered out, resulting in a conversion of the information that is invisible to the eye Phase modulation is achieved in an amplitude modulation and thereby in turn the information is made visible

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase to amplitude conversion:

Implementation Method 3

phase preservation accordingly represents the property of individual rays to maintain the respective phase relationship to other rays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase preservation:

Data Source

PatentEP3129831B1Individual visualization of image information concealed in a light projection
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 KG SYNOPTRIX LICHTTECHNIK GMBH & CO
  • EP3129831B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3129831B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a system (02) for displaying visual information comprising - a projection device (01) comprising a light source (03) and an information imprinting device (08) which imprints information by means of phase modulation into a beam path (04) of the projection unit, the information being resolved at least spatially in two dimensions and in particular temporally; - at least one projection surface (05, 07), wherein the system (02) optionally has at least one projection surface (05) with at least one sectional phase-receiving area, wherein in addition optionally at least one filter device (11) is arranged in an output beam path between the projection surface (05) and an observation point (15) or, in addition, optionally a filter device (09) is arranged, independent of the at least one projection surface, in an input beam path between an output of the information imprinting device (08) of the projection device (01) and the projection surface (05, 07), wherein the phase modulation is converted into an amplitude modulation by means of the filter device. The invention further relates to the use of a system of this type for multistage optional display of information on at least one projection surface (05, 07), wherein the use optionally enables - the display of no information despite operation of the light source, in particular for purposes of illumination; - the display of information depending on the spatial arrangement of at least one projection surface (05), a filter device (11), and an observation point (15) and the condition of the projection surface (05); and - the display of information independent of observation point (12, 13, 14) and the condition of the projection surface (05, 07).