Image Display System with Polarized Light Beam Splitter

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image display systems using Pepper's ghost and transmissive methods face issues with direct image interference, low brightness, and space constraints, making it difficult to display high-brightness superimposed images without disturbing the view.

Innovation Solution

An image display system comprising a first image display unit emitting polarized light, a beam splitter with a transflective surface, and an absorption polarizer, arranged to change and absorb polarized light, allowing for high-brightness superimposed images with space-saving design without direct image interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a beam splitter is used to display superimposed images, then image superposition is achieved, but the direct image from the first image display unit disturbs the viewing of the superimposed image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage superposition capabilityVSAvoiddirect image interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different optical properties to different regions of the system: the beam splitter has a transflective surface that reflects light from the first image display unit while transmitting light from the second image display unit, creating localized optical path differentiation that eliminates direct image interference while maintaining superposition capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The beam splitter acts as an intermediary optical element that mediates between the two image display units, selectively directing light paths to achieve superposition while blocking the harmful direct image from the first unit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If a transmissive display device is used to display superimposed images, then image superposition is achieved, but the transmittance is low and brightness significantly decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage superposition capabilityVSAvoidtransmission image brightness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The beam splitter's transflective surface provides different optical characteristics for different light sources: high reflectance for the first image display unit and high transmittance for the second image display unit, thereby maintaining high brightness for the transmitted image while achieving superposition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If a projector and transmissive screen are used to display superimposed images, then image superposition is achieved, but the system size increases and installation space is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage superposition capabilityVSAvoidsystem size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple image display units and a beam splitter into a compact integrated system, eliminating the need for separate projectors and screens, thereby reducing overall system volume and expanding installation flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system arranges image display units and the beam splitter in a spatial configuration that optimizes light paths while minimizing the footprint, utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement to achieve superposition without increasing overall system volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 system effectively displays high-brightness superimposed images while preventing direct image interference, achieving a high-brightness and space-efficient solution for image display systems.

Implementation Method 1

a beam splitter that has a transflective surface for transmitting a part of incident light and reflecting another part of the incident light, the transflective surface being arranged at a position where the first emission light emitted from the first image display unit is incident, and the beam splitter changing the polarized light of the first emission light and reflecting the first emission light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 2

an absorption polarizer that is arranged at a position where reflected light reflected from the transflective surface of the beam splitter out of the first emission light is incident, to absorb the first polarized light and transmit second polarized light different from the first polarized light

Methodology Applied

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

Data Source

PatentUS11163170B2Image display system

Publication Date: 2021.11.02 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

An image display system includes a first image display unit that has a first image display surface for displaying a first image and emits first emission light as first polarized light, a beam splitter that has a transflective surface for transmitting a part of incident light and reflecting another part of the incident light, the transflective surface being arranged at a position where the first emission light emitted from the first image display unit is incident, and the beam splitter changing the polarized light of the first emission light and reflecting the first emission light, and an absorption polarizer that is arranged at a position where reflected light reflected from the transflective surface of the beam splitter out of the first emission light is incident, to absorb the first polarized light and transmit second polarized light different from the first polarized light.