Pixel Aperture Arrangement for Autostereoscopic Display Flicker Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autostereoscopic displays suffer from spatially derived artefacts such as cross-talk and flicker due to inadequate window quality, which limits viewing freedom and image quality, particularly when trying to minimize the width of gaps between pixel columns for manufacturing and electrical connection reasons.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement of pixel apertures is optimized to minimize intensity variation across the window plane by ensuring that the convolution with the nominal human pupil image is uniform, with pixel apertures varying by no more than 5% in height and repeating at a pitch equal to the representative width of the intensity profile, reducing spatially derived artefacts and flicker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the width of gaps between pixel columns is minimized for manufacturing and electrical connection reasons, then manufacturing ease and device complexity are improved, but window quality deteriorates causing spatially derived artefacts such as cross-talk and flicker
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel aperture heights are varied locally across different column positions to compensate for gap effects. Specifically, pixel aperture heights are adjusted based on their horizontal position relative to the center of the display, with columns closer to the center having different aperture heights than those at the edges. This local adjustment ensures uniform intensity distribution across the window plane while maintaining narrow gaps between pixels.
Solution Approach 2:
The height parameter of pixel apertures is changed systematically across different column positions. The patent applies a mathematical model to calculate optimal aperture heights for each column based on its distance from the display center, transforming the uniform aperture structure into a non-uniform one that compensates for gap-induced intensity variations.
2Device complexity
If the width of gaps between pixel columns is minimized, then device complexity is reduced, but spatially derived artefacts such as cross-talk and flicker increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel aperture heights are varied locally across different column positions to compensate for gap effects. Specifically, pixel aperture heights are adjusted based on their horizontal position relative to the center of the display, with columns closer to the center having different aperture heights than those at the edges. This local adjustment ensures uniform intensity distribution across the window plane while maintaining narrow gaps between pixels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of narrow gaps (which cause non-uniform intensity and artefacts) into a beneficial design feature by systematically varying pixel aperture heights. The gap-induced intensity variations are transformed into a controlled pattern where adjacent pixels have different heights, creating uniform overall intensity while maintaining the simplicity of narrow-gap construction.
3Manufacturing precision
If pixel aperture heights are made uniform, then manufacturing precision is improved, but intensity variation across the window plane increases causing flicker
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel aperture heights are varied locally across different column positions to compensate for gap effects. Specifically, pixel aperture heights are adjusted based on their horizontal position relative to the center of the display, with columns closer to the center having different aperture heights than those at the edges. This local adjustment ensures uniform intensity distribution across the window plane while maintaining narrow gaps between pixels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry in pixel aperture heights across different column positions. Instead of uniform symmetric apertures, the design uses asymmetric height variations where columns at different horizontal positions have systematically different aperture heights, creating an asymmetric pattern that compensates for the symmetric gap structure and achieves uniform intensity distribution.
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 enhances the viewing freedom and image quality by reducing cross-talk and flicker, allowing for improved lateral and longitudinal viewing freedom while maintaining aperture ratio and image sharpness.
Implementation Method 1
The system comprises a display and an optical steering mechanism. The light from the left image is sent to a limited region in front of the display, referred to as the viewing window. If an eye is placed at the position of the viewing window then the observer sees the appropriate image across the whole of the display. Similarly the optical system sends the light intended for the right image to a separate window.
Implementation Method 2
Each pixel comprises a pixel aperture and gaps therebetween. The arrangement of pixel apertures is optimized to minimize intensity variation across the window plane by ensuring that the convolution with the nominal human pupil image is uniform.
Data Source
AI summary
An autostereoscopic display apparatus comprises a spatial light modulator comprising an array of pixels arranged in rows and columns in a pixel plane, and a spatially multiplexing parallax element capable of directing light from successive columns of pixels towards successive ones of two or more viewing windows in a nominal window plane. The pixels comprise pixel apertures having gaps therebetween with the gaps between the columns of pixels extending substantially parallel to the columns of pixels. The arrangement of the pixels is designed taking account of the intensity profile of an image of a nominal human pupil in the nominal window plane formed in the pixel plane by the spatially multiplexing parallax element to reduce the amount of spatially derived flicker observed by a viewer moving in the window plane. In one arrangement, the pixel apertures repeat at a pitch equal to a representative width of said intensity profile. In another arrangement, the total height of the pixel apertures parallel to the columns of pixels has a profile which increases towards the edges of the pixel apertures relative to the centre of the pixel apertures.