Retro-Reflective Display Screen Layout Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current display systems face limitations in achieving large screen sizes due to cost and power consumption issues, and lack solutions for multiple viewers to observe individualized content simultaneously or experience glasses-free 3D immersive viewing.
Innovation Solution
The use of a projector combined with a retro-reflective screen, optimized through the addition of an array of smaller beam splitter elements and a mirror element, allows for increased physical distance between the projector and viewer without sacrificing brightness or uniformity, enabling multiple viewers to see individualized content and providing glasses-free 3D viewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the physical distance between the projector and viewer is increased, then the viewing comfort and immersion are improved, but the observed brightness and uniformity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the retro-reflective screen into multiple zones, each with tailored optical properties. By dividing the screen surface into different retro-reflector regions with varying observation angles, the system maintains brightness uniformity across the viewing area even when the projector is positioned at optimized distances, thus resolving the contradiction between viewing comfort and observed brightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different optical characteristics to different regions of the screen. Specifically, the retro-reflective screen incorporates zones with different observation angles matched to specific projector positions, ensuring that each local area optimizes brightness for its intended viewing zone while maintaining overall system performance.
2Ease of operation
If a single large beam splitter is used to change the optical path, then the projector can be positioned away from the viewer, but the system complexity and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces a single large beam splitter with an array of smaller beam splitter elements arranged in a grid pattern. This segmentation reduces the complexity of positioning and aligning a single large component, while the collective array achieves the same optical path deviation function, thereby improving ease of operation without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from using a single beam splitter element to a two-dimensional array of smaller elements. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve the required optical path modification through distributed small components rather than one large component, simplifying the overall system configuration and reducing alignment complexity.
3Length of stationary object
If the observation angle is increased to allow larger projector-viewer separation, then the physical distance can be increased, but the retro-reflected light intensity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by matching specific observation angles to specific projector positions. Different zones of the retro-reflective screen are designed with optimized observation angles corresponding to their associated projector locations, ensuring maximum light intensity is directed toward viewers while maintaining appropriate projector-viewer distances for comfort and immersion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the observation angle parameter of the retro-reflective screen to optimize the balance between projector-viewer distance and light intensity. By carefully selecting and adjusting the observation angle parameter for different screen zones, the system achieves sufficient light intensity while enabling larger physical separations between projectors and viewers for improved viewing comfort.
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 image brightness and uniformity, allows for larger screen sizes, and provides a flexible and unobstructed viewing experience for multiple users, overcoming the limitations of traditional display systems.
Implementation Method 1
display systems utilizing a projector and a retro-reflective screen
Implementation Method 2
adding an additional optical element in proximity to a retro-reflective screen such that the reflected light is returned at an angle that differs from being perfectly parallel to the incident beam of light by an engineered angle
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a display system that may comprise a retro-reflective screen configured to reflect incident light along a direction that is opposite to the direction of propagation of the incident light, and a projector that may project light characterizing an image or video to the retro-reflective screen. An array of optical elements or an individual optical element may be positioned between the retro-reflective screen and the projector. The array of optical elements or individual optical element may direct the light from the projector to the retro-reflective screen in a manner such that the image or video is viewable by a user at an observation angle of at least about 2 degrees.