Handheld Projection Display Lens Array Decoupling Screen Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current handheld devices face a limitation in display size due to their compact design, making it difficult to provide a large enough screen for efficient use in applications like word processing or spreadsheet editing while maintaining a lightweight form factor.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a handheld projection display system using a first and second lens array, separated by one focal length, which receives color signals from an X-prism and transmits them to a condenser for overlapping lenslet images onto a display panel, such as an LCOS or LCD panel, to create a larger projected image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the display size on handheld devices is increased, then the visual screen area is improved, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional display plane to a three-dimensional projection space. By using optical components (lens arrays, condensers, and projection lenses) to project the image onto a screen, the display area extends beyond the physical boundaries of the handheld device, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the display area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an external screen as an intermediary between the device's display panel and the user's visual field. The projection system acts as a mediator that transfers the image from the small LCOS/LCD panel to a larger external screen, decoupling the display area from the device size.
2Area of stationary object
If the display size on handheld devices is increased, then the visual screen area is improved, but the device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projection system leverages the third dimension (projection distance) to achieve a large display area without proportionally increasing device weight. The optical components project the image onto a distant screen, allowing the display area to be much larger than the physical footprint of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy of the image from the small LCOS/LCD panel onto a larger external screen. This copying process allows the visual information to be displayed at a larger scale without requiring the physical display panel itself to be large and heavy.
3Area of stationary object
If a projection system is added to handheld devices, then the display screen area is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the projection system into distinct functional modules: light source, lens arrays, condenser, polarization beam splitter, and projection lens. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates compact arrangement of the overall system within the handheld device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the lens arrays and condenser are positioned in close proximity to each other, with the LCOS/LCD panel nested within the optical path. This compact nesting minimizes the overall footprint of the optical system while maintaining the required optical path lengths.
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 solution allows for a larger visual screen to be projected from a handheld device, enhancing usability and attractiveness by decoupling screen size from device size, enabling efficient use in various applications without increasing the device's size or weight.
Implementation Method 1
The lenslets can be either refractive, defractive, or a combination of refractive and defractive
Implementation Method 2
The lenslets can be either refractive, defractive, or a combination of refractive and defractive
Implementation Method 3
receive a plurality of colors signals from an X-prism
Implementation Method 4
a first LCOS display panel for spatially modulating a S-polarization component onto a screen and a second LCOS display panel for spatially modulating a P-polarization component onto the screen
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described employing a first lens array and a second lens array that are separated by one focal length that receives a plurality of colors signals from an X-prism and transmits to a condenser for overlapping lenslet images onto a display panel, such as a LCOS or LCD display panel. The first lens array includes a plurality of lenslets where each lenslet in the first lens array corresponds with each lenslet in a plurality of lenslets in the second lens array. The lenslets can be either refractive, defractive, or a combination of refractive and defractive.