Shutter Glasses Control for Stereo Image Brightness and Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Shutter glasses used for viewing stereo images often result in reduced ambient brightness and increased power consumption due to improper control of shutter lens states, leading to degraded image quality and inconvenience in identifying objects beyond the screen.

Innovation Solution

A method and pair of shutter glasses that control the shutter lenses to extend the shutter-on period, increasing ambient brightness and reducing power consumption by synchronizing the shutter states with a higher refresh rate and adjusting the backlight module's operation to ensure reasonable image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the shutter lens is continuously switched between on-state and off-state for stereo image display, then the stereo image quality is improved, but the ambient brightness perceived by the user is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestereo image qualityVSAvoidambient brightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by switching the shutter lens between on-state and off-state at specific time intervals synchronized with the video output apparatus refresh rate. This periodic switching allows stereo image display while managing the trade-off with ambient brightness by controlling the duty cycle of the shutter-on period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of shutter-on period duration to optimize the balance between stereo image quality and ambient brightness. By adjusting the length of the shutter-on period relative to the refresh cycle, the system can improve perceived ambient brightness while maintaining acceptable stereo image quality through parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the shutter lens stays in off-state longer to reduce power consumption, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the ambient brightness perceived by the user is further reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidambient brightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic action with optimized duty cycle to balance power consumption and ambient brightness. By establishing a regular switching pattern between on-state and off-state with appropriate timing, the system reduces power consumption during off-state while ensuring the shutter-on periods are sufficiently frequent and long to maintain acceptable ambient brightness perception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the parameter of shutter-on period duration to achieve the best compromise between power consumption and ambient brightness. By carefully adjusting this parameter, the system extends the shutter-on period enough to improve ambient brightness while still maintaining reduced power consumption compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If the shutter-on period is extended to increase ambient brightness, then the ambient brightness is improved, but the power consumption is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveambient brightnessVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the shutter-on period duration to achieve the desired ambient brightness level while minimizing power consumption. By carefully tuning this parameter, the system finds the optimal balance point where ambient brightness is sufficiently improved without causing excessive power consumption increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses periodic action with optimized timing to manage the trade-off between ambient brightness and power consumption. By establishing a regular switching pattern with appropriate duty cycle, the system can extend the shutter-on period to improve ambient brightness while still maintaining periodic off-states that reduce overall power consumption compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Measurement precision

If the shutter lens switches frequently between on-state and off-state, then the stereo image quality is maintained, but the power consumption is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestereo image qualityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by establishing a regular switching pattern between on-state and off-state synchronized with the video refresh rate. This periodic operation maintains stereo image quality through consistent timing while managing power consumption by ensuring the off-state periods are sufficiently long to allow the liquid crystal layer to return to its initial state and reduce energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the parameter of shutter-on period duration to balance stereo image quality and power consumption. By adjusting this parameter, the system maintains the necessary switching frequency for quality stereo display while extending the off-state periods enough to reduce power consumption through the liquid crystal layer's relaxation to its initial state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides improved image quality and increased ambient brightness while reducing power consumption, allowing users to view stereo images more effectively without compromising the viewing experience.

Implementation Method 1

when there is no voltage applied on the liquid crystal layer, the shutter lens is in an on-state and allows light beams to penetrate therethrough

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption by liquid crystal: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

The pair of shutter glasses includes a backlight module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from backlight: Light

Data Source

PatentEP2416585B1Shutter glasses and method for controlling a pair of shutter glasses for stereoscopic image display
Publication Date: 2016.10.19 ACER INC
  • EP2416585B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2416585B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2416585B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for controlling a pair of shutter glasses (100) includes controlling each of a first shutter lens and a second shutter lens (102, 104) to be switched between an on-state and an off-state, wherein the first shutter lens (102, 104) stays in the on-state within an image output period corresponding to a secondary first image, and stays in the off-state with an image output period corresponding to a following primary second image, and the second shutter lens (102, 104) stays in the off-state within the image output period corresponding to the primary second image, and stays in the on-state within an image output period corresponding to a following secondary second image. The first shutter lens and the second shutter lens (102, 104) simultaneously stay in the off-state only within a single continuous time period of the image output period corresponding to the primary second image.