Segmented Backlight for VR LCD Latency Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) in virtual reality and augmented reality systems suffer from slow response times and motion blur due to the constant projection of light from the backlight, limiting frame rate and causing noticeable latency and image streaking.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a liquid crystal display with segmented backlight units that can be controlled individually, allowing each unit to project light only during specific time periods corresponding to the transition states of adjacent liquid crystal portions, reducing latency and enabling higher frame rates without motion blur.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the backlight constantly projects light towards the liquid crystal layer, then the liquid crystal display can be implemented with a simple architecture and low cost, but the response time is limited and motion blur occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacklight architectureVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The backlight is divided into multiple independently controllable backlight units corresponding to different liquid crystal portions. This segmentation allows selective illumination of specific regions while others are being updated, enabling faster effective response times without requiring complete backlight redesign

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The backlight units operate in periodic cycles, alternating between illumination and non-illumination states synchronized with liquid crystal portion updates. This periodic action eliminates motion blur by ensuring light is only projected when liquid crystal states are stable, while maintaining simple overall architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Device complexity

If the backlight constantly projects light towards the liquid crystal layer, then the display structure remains simple, but image streaking and motion blur occur at high frame rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay structureVSAvoidmotion blur

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the backlight into independently controllable units, the system can selectively illuminate only those portions corresponding to stable liquid crystal states, eliminating image streaking while preserving simple display structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid crystal portions are updated in advance during periods when their corresponding backlight units are non-illuminating. This preliminary action ensures that by the time illumination occurs, the liquid crystal states are already stable, preventing motion blur without complicating the display structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the liquid crystal states are updated continuously, then the display can maintain simple architecture, but latency is noticeable in virtual reality applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay architectureVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The display is divided into multiple independently controllable portions with dedicated backlight units. This segmentation allows overlapping update cycles where one portion is being illuminated while adjacent portions are being updated, reducing perceived latency without increasing overall architectural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

While one liquid crystal portion is being illuminated, adjacent portions are being updated in parallel. This continuity of useful action ensures that the display as a whole maintains high effective frame rates, reducing latency in VR applications while keeping the architecture simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 reduces latency and allows for high-quality images to be presented in virtual reality and augmented reality systems without noticeable lag, enhancing the user experience by enabling higher frame rates and reducing motion artifacts.

Implementation Method 1

the LC layer including a plurality of LCs controls an amount of the light passing through according to states of the plurality of LCs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid crystal optical modulation: Liquid Crystals

Implementation Method 2

each backlight unit faces a corresponding liquid crystal portion and is configured to project light towards the corresponding liquid crystal portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight projection: Light

Data Source

PatentUS10436975B2Segmented backlight for liquid crystal display

Publication Date: 2019.10.08 META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Example embodiments of disclosed configurations include a liquid crystal display with segmented backlight units that can be controlled individually. In one or more embodiments, the liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal layer including a plurality of liquid crystals grouped into a plurality of liquid crystal portions, and a backlight coupled to the liquid crystal layer. The backlight includes a plurality of backlight units, where each backlight unit faces a corresponding liquid crystal portion and is configured to project light towards the corresponding liquid crystal portion.