Radiation-Emitting Device Subpixel Segmentation for Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radiation-emitting devices, such as autostereoscopic displays, often exhibit poor contrast ratios and black levels due to the fill factor of pixelated emission surfaces, which limits their image quality.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a radiation-emitting device with a pixelated emission surface where each pixel is divided into subpixels, with at most 50% of the pixel area configured to emit radiation, and an optical element that directs radiation from different subpixels into distinct spatial regions, creating a three-dimensional image impression in one region and a two-dimensional impression in another, while using non-emitting areas for improved contrast and black levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the emission surface uses a pixelated structure with subpixels occupying most of the pixel area to maximize light output, then the brightness and visibility are improved, but the contrast ratio and black levels deteriorate due to the high fill factor
Solution Approach 1:
The emission surface is segmented into multiple subpixels within each pixel, with each subpixel independently controllable. This segmentation allows selective activation of subpixels to create darker regions (improving black levels) while maintaining bright regions for visibility, thus resolving the contradiction between brightness and contrast ratio
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions within each pixel (different subpixels) are assigned different functions and emission characteristics. Some subpixels are activated to provide brightness while others remain dark or are selectively deactivated, creating local variations in emission quality that simultaneously achieve high brightness and high contrast ratio
2Illumination intensity
If the emission surface uses a pixelated structure with subpixels occupying most of the pixel area to maximize light output, then the visibility is improved, but the black levels deteriorate due to the high fill factor
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel is divided into multiple independently controllable subpixels, allowing selective deactivation of certain subpixels to create dark or black regions. This segmentation enables the display to achieve deep black levels by turning off specific subpixels while keeping others active for visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The subpixels are dynamically controllable, allowing the system to adaptively adjust which subpixels are active or inactive based on the required image content. This dynamic control enables optimal black levels to be achieved by deactivating subpixels in regions requiring darkness, while maintaining visibility where needed
3Adaptability or versatility
If the optical element directs radiation from different subpixels into distinct spatial regions to create three-dimensional image impression, then the three-dimensional imaging capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the optical element and spatial region separation
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is designed to work in conjunction with the segmented subpixel structure, directing radiation from different subpixel groups into distinct spatial regions. This segmentation approach enables three-dimensional imaging capability by creating separate optical paths for different viewing angles, while the modular nature of subpixel control helps manage the overall system complexity
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 configuration enhances the contrast ratio and black levels by optimizing the use of pixel areas and radiation direction, allowing for a more vivid and detailed three-dimensional image while maintaining a clear two-dimensional view, thus improving overall image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an optical element arranged downstream of the emission surface in a radiation direction and configured to deflect the radiation emitted from the emission surface
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation-emitting device including a radiation source, an emission surface through which radiation from the radiation source passes during operation, wherein the emission surface includes a plurality of pixels, each pixel includes a plurality of subpixels, in plan view of the emission surface, each pixel forms a partial area of the emission surface and each subpixel forms a portion of such partial area, for each pixel, at least first subpixels are operable individually and independently of one another, and all subpixels of a pixel together make up at most 50% of the area of the pixel so that in simultaneous operation of all subpixels radiation is emitted via at most 50% of the area of the pixel.