Spatial Dimming Pixel Panel for See-Through Display Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic eyewear devices, such as smart glasses, face challenges in maintaining optimal performance of see-through displays due to varying lighting conditions, which can interfere with image clarity and visibility.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a spatial dimming pixel panel using liquid crystal displays (LCDs) that selectively dim non-polarized light in areas where images are not displayed, while maintaining unaltered real-world views in undimmed areas, utilizing a dye-doped or guest-host liquid crystal system with phase change mode for improved backlighting conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a spatial dimming pixel panel is used to improve image visibility in bright environments, then image clarity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical assembly is segmented into multiple functional layers: a display layer for virtual content and a spatial dimming pixel panel layer for light control. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each layer's function, enabling effective light management without requiring complete redesign of the entire optical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The spatial dimming pixel panel acts as an intermediary component between the ambient light source and the user's eye. It selectively modulates light transmission in the background area behind the display, controlling the ratio of displayed image to real-world view without directly altering the display content itself.
2Illumination intensity
If spatial dimming is applied to improve display contrast, then image clarity is improved, but loss of real-world view is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The spatial dimming pixel panel applies different light transmission properties to different spatial regions: the display area receives controlled dimming to enhance contrast, while the background area maintains higher transparency to preserve the real-world view. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both display quality and environmental awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimming effect is applied partially rather than uniformly across the entire optical assembly. By concentrating the dimming action specifically in the background area behind the display and leaving other areas relatively undimmed, the system achieves sufficient contrast improvement without excessively blocking the real-world view.
3Use of energy by moving object
If traditional polarizing filters are used to control light, then light transmission is controlled, but image quality deteriorates due to polarization effects
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the control parameter from polarization state to direct light transmission intensity. Instead of using polarizing filters that alter the polarization state of light and potentially degrade image quality, the spatial dimming pixel panel directly modulates the intensity of light transmission, providing better control without the negative side effects of polarization.
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
Enhances image visibility by adjusting light transmission based on ambient brightness, ensuring clear display of virtual content even in bright environments, thereby improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The pixel panel absorbs nonpolarized light when a voltage is applied across the LCD cells and passes nonpolarized light in the absence of a voltage across the LCD cells
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a dye-doped or guest-host liquid crystal system with phase change mode for improved backlighting conditions
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic eyewear device including a spatial dimming pixel panel within an optical assembly that delivers improved backlighting conditions for displayed images. The spatial dimming pixel panel is spatially dimmed where an image is positioned on a display, and the unoccupied area of the display is not dimmed (undimmed), thereby unaltering the real-world view through that portion of the display. The spatial dimming pixel panel is made of multiple liquid crystal cells arranged in a gridded orientation with a dye-doped or guest-host liquid crystal system having a phase change mode with homeotropic alignment. The spatial dimming pixel panel absorbs nonpolarized light when a voltage is applied across the cells and passes nonpolarized light in the absence of a voltage across the cells.