Projection Optical Engine Pixel Expansion for High Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of projection optical engines in electronic devices is limited by the volume of the optical engine, which affects the overall size of devices like AR glasses, and existing technologies face challenges in achieving high resolution, efficient light-emitting, and complex manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A projection optical engine architecture using multiple display panels with active light-emitting devices, a light combination apparatus, and a pixel expansion apparatus to combine and expand pixel locations, allowing for improved space utilization and resolution without increasing the display panel's area, thereby enhancing light-emitting efficiency and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the display panel area is reduced for miniaturization, then the volume of the projection optical engine is reduced, but the imaging resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pixel expansion apparatus that shifts the optical path in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, adding a spatial dimension to pixel arrangement. This allows pixels to be distributed not only in the traditional planar dimensions but also in the perpendicular direction, effectively increasing the imaging resolution without increasing the display panel area. The optical element shifts light from a pixel in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis, creating additional pixel positions in the third dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the imaging function by separating the display panel from the pixel expansion apparatus. The display panel generates base pixels, while the pixel expansion apparatus creates additional virtual pixels through optical path shifting. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high resolution without requiring a proportionally large display panel, thus enabling miniaturization while maintaining resolution.
2Manufacturing precision
If the pixel density is increased to improve resolution, then the imaging resolution is improved, but the light-emitting efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel expansion apparatus creates virtual pixel copies by shifting the optical path. Instead of increasing the physical number of light-emitting pixels on the display panel, the system optically copies and relocates existing pixel images to create additional imaging positions. This copying mechanism achieves higher resolution without requiring additional light-emitting elements, thus maintaining light-emitting efficiency while improving resolution.
3Volume of moving object
If the display panel area is reduced for miniaturization, then the volume of the projection optical engine is reduced, but the complexity of the manufacturing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element in the pixel expansion apparatus serves multiple functions: it shifts the optical path in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis, creates virtual pixels, and maintains the imaging quality. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in manufacturing complexity despite the addition of the pixel expansion apparatus for miniaturization.
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 solution enables miniaturization of the projection optical engine while maintaining high imaging resolution and reducing power consumption by combining and expanding pixel locations, improving space utilization and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first display panel, where the first display panel includes a plurality of pixels of a first color, and the pixel of the first color includes an active light-emitting device
Implementation Method 2
a light combination apparatus, where the light combination apparatus is configured to combine light emitted by one pixel of the first color and light emitted by one pixel of the second color
Implementation Method 3
a pixel expansion apparatus, where the pixel expansion apparatus is configured to enable the light emitted by the light combination apparatus to be imaged at different locations on the imaging plane at different moments
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A projection optical engine, an electronic device, and a projection imaging method are provided, to resolve a limitation of the projection optical engine on miniaturization of the electronic device. The projection optical engine includes: a first display panel (1), a second display panel (2), a light combination apparatus (4), a pixel expansion apparatus (5), and an optical engine lens (6). The light combination apparatus (4) is configured to combine light emitted by one pixel of the first color (10) and light emitted by one pixel of the second color (20), and then emit combined light. The light emitted by the light combination apparatus (4) is imaged on an imaging plane after passing through the pixel expansion apparatus (5) and the optical engine lens (6). The pixel expansion apparatus (5) is configured to enable the light emitted by the light combination apparatus (4) to be imaged at different locations on the imaging plane at different moments. A total quantity of pixels disposed in the first display panel (1) is less than display resolution of an image formed by the first display panel (1) on the imaging plane, and a total quantity of pixels disposed in the second display panel (2) is less than display resolution of an image formed by the second display panel (2) on the imaging plane.