Retro-reflective Aerial Display with Light-separating Part
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerial display technologies using retro-reflection are limited in the range and visibility of the aerial image, as the image can only be observed within a specific area where the retro-reflective part is visible through the half mirror, restricting the viewing angle and brightness of the displayed image.
Innovation Solution
A display device configuration that includes a first light source, a first retro-reflective part, and a first light-separating part, where the first retro-reflective part is positioned to reflect light in the same direction as incidence, and a second retro-reflective part is used to enhance the viewing angle by allowing light to pass through the first light-separating part, forming an aerial image visible from a wider area without the need for special glasses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional aerial display configuration using a half mirror and retro-reflective part is used, then the aerial image can be formed, but the viewing angle and visible area are limited to where the retro-reflective part is visible through the half mirror
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the light path into multiple segments by introducing a light-separating part that reflects some light to the retro-reflective part while allowing other light to pass through. This segmentation enables different portions of emitted light to contribute to the aerial image from different angles, expanding the viewing area beyond the limitations of the half mirror configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-separating part acts as an intermediary element between the light source and the retro-reflective part. It mediates the light path by selectively reflecting and transmitting light, enabling the system to achieve both image formation and expanded viewing angles that cannot be obtained with the conventional half mirror alone.
2Illumination intensity
If all emitted light is used to form the aerial image, then the brightness is improved, but the configuration becomes more complex with additional light-separating parts
Solution Approach 1:
The light-separating part is designed to perform multiple functions: it reflects light toward the retro-reflective part for image formation, allows transmitted light to pass through for expanded viewing angles, and maintains compatibility with the existing half mirror configuration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the optical parameters (reflectivity and transmissivity) of the light-separating part to optimize the balance between brightness and viewing angle. By adjusting these parameters, the system can achieve improved aerial image brightness while managing the complexity of the overall configuration.
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 increases the visible angle of the aerial image and improves its brightness by allowing all emitted light to contribute to the image formation, enabling observation from a broader range than conventional systems and providing a more immersive display experience.
Implementation Method 1
a retro-reflective part 106. Within light L1 emitted from the light source S, some of the light L101 is reflected by the half mirror 104 as reflected light L102. The reflected light L102 is incident on the retro-reflective part 106, is reflected by the retro-reflective part 106 in the same direction as the incident direction
Implementation Method 2
a first light-separating part configured to reflect at least a part of the first light emitted from the first light source as first reflected light
Implementation Method 3
transmits at least a part of the first reflected light that is retro-reflected by the first retro-reflective part
Data Source
AI summary
A display device (1A) according to the present invention includes a first light source, a first retro-reflective part disposed at a position in an emission direction of first light emitted from the first light source, and a first light-separating part configured to reflect a part of the first light that has passed through the first retro-reflective part as a first reflected light and transmits at least a part of the first reflected light.