Remote Fiber Illuminated Backlight for Headset Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic headset display panels face challenges in achieving high image quality due to inadequate backlighting methods, which often result in uneven illumination and potential overheating, and lack of effective power management for the light sources.
Innovation Solution
The use of a remote light source, such as laser light sources, coupled with a light transmitting element like optical fibers, and an out-coupling structure to illuminate a light guide plate, which is designed to uniformly illuminate the display panel, along with a photodiode for power management and fault detection to ensure safe and optimal light delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional backlighting methods are used, then the display panel can be illuminated, but the illumination is uneven and image quality is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is extracted from the traditional location adjacent to the display panel and relocated to a remote position. Light is transmitted through optical fibers from the remote source to the display panel, separating the heat-generating light source from the display components while maintaining illumination quality
Solution Approach 2:
Optical fibers serve as intermediary elements to transmit light from the remote light source to the display panel. The optical fiber bundle acts as a mediator that delivers light energy without direct thermal contact, enabling uniform illumination while isolating heat sources
2Illumination intensity
If light source is placed close to the display panel for effective illumination, then illumination intensity is sufficient, but heat distribution issues and overheating occur
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is extracted from the immediate vicinity of the display panel and positioned remotely. This separation removes the heat-generating component from the display assembly, preventing overheating while maintaining adequate illumination through optical fiber transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The direct thermal contact system is replaced with an optical transmission system. Instead of placing the light source physically close to the panel, light energy is transmitted through optical fibers, substituting a mechanical/thermal proximity arrangement with an optical field-based solution
3Temperature
If remote light source is used, then heat distribution issues are reduced, but the complexity of the lighting system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber bundle serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits light from the remote source, distributes illumination uniformly across the display panel, and acts as a flexible connection that accommodates thermal expansion and mechanical movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional heat management components
4Device complexity
If traditional backlighting is used, then the system structure is simple, but power management and fault detection are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
A photodiode is integrated into the optical fiber system to provide real-time feedback on light transmission quality and power delivery status. This feedback mechanism enables monitoring of the remote light source performance and facilitates automatic power management adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-diagnostic capabilities through the photodiode monitoring mechanism. The system can automatically detect faults in the optical fiber transmission or light source performance and adjust power delivery accordingly, enabling self-service operation without external intervention
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 enhances image quality by providing more colors and uniform illumination, reduces heat distribution issues, and ensures safe power levels for the user by remotely locating the light source and using a photodiode for real-time monitoring and adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
a light transmitting element coupled to the light source, the light transmitting element including an out-coupling structure
Implementation Method 2
the out-coupling structure may comprise a surface relief diffraction grating, and the surface relief diffraction grating is bonded to the light transmitting element
Implementation Method 3
a light guide plate coupled to the out-coupling structure of the light transmitting element; and a panel display coupled to the light guide plate
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques are described for backlighting electronic headset display panels. The backlight can include a light guide plate that is illuminated via a light transmitting element that is coupled to a light source. The light guide plate, in turn, illuminates the display panel. The light source is located within the headset but is disposed remotely from the display panels. A photodiode is coupled to a surface of the light transmitting element and is configured to detect a characteristic of the light transmitted by the light transmitting element.