Super-Resolution Scanning Display for Near-Eye Visuals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional near-eye displays (NEDs) with 2D grids of emitters face limitations in achieving optimal resolution due to the inherent constraints of emitter spacing and grid arrangements, which restrict the number of active emitters per unit solid angle, leading to suboptimal image quality in artificial reality environments.
Innovation Solution
A scanning display system comprising a light source with columns of emitters arranged along one dimension and offset in both dimensions, combined with a conditioning assembly and scanning mirror assembly, which conditions and scans the light to achieve super-resolution by increasing the number of active emitters per unit solid angle, thereby improving perceived resolution beyond the emitter width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If emitters are arranged in a densely packed grid, then the device complexity is reduced, but the perceived resolution is limited by emitter width
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a 2D grid arrangement to a 3D volumetric arrangement of emitters. By stacking multiple layers of emitter arrays with lateral offsets between layers, the system creates a three-dimensional point cloud that projects to fill gaps in the 2D projection plane, thereby achieving super-resolution without requiring denser 2D packing
Solution Approach 2:
The emitter array is segmented into multiple independent layers, each layer acting as a separate segment. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimally spaced for manufacturing while collectively achieving higher resolution through their combined volumetric distribution. The lateral offset between layers creates a segmented spatial distribution that resolves the contradiction between simple grid arrangement and high perceived resolution
2Ease of manufacture
If emitters are spaced further apart, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the number of active emitters per unit solid angle decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By adding the third dimension (vertical stacking), the patent compensates for the reduced emitter density in the 2D projection plane. Each emitter in upper layers contributes to filling gaps created by sparser spacing in lower layers, maintaining high active emitter density per unit solid angle while allowing manufacturable spacing within each layer
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple layers of emitters are merged into a single volumetric structure that functions as one integrated light source. The combined effect of all layers creates a high density of active emitters in the projected solid angle, even though individual layers have sparser spacing for ease of manufacture
3Manufacturing precision
If a 2D grid of emitters is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the image quality in artificial reality environments is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a 3D volumetric emitter arrangement with multiple stacked layers instead of a conventional 2D grid. This three-dimensional configuration creates a more uniform and dense projection of light sources, eliminating the pixelation and resolution limitations inherent in 2D grids, thereby delivering superior image quality for artificial reality displays
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display achieve optimized local quality through the volumetric arrangement. The lateral offsets between layers ensure that emitters in different spatial regions contribute uniquely to the projected image, creating locally optimized resolution and uniformity across the entire display field
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 enhances image resolution in near-eye displays by increasing the number of active emitters per unit solid angle, resulting in improved super-resolution that surpasses conventional grid-based limitations, providing clearer and more immersive visual content in artificial reality applications.
Implementation Method 1
The light source is configured to emit source light from a plurality of columns of emitters (e.g., light emitting diode (LED), micro light emitting diode, vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL))
Implementation Method 2
The conditioning assembly receives the source light and conditions (e.g., collimates, adjust apparent emitter offset, etc.) the source light
Implementation Method 3
The scanning mirror assembly scans the conditioned light along the second dimension to generate a portion of an image at a first location
Data Source
AI summary
A super-resolution scanning display. The scanning display includes a light source, a conditioning assembly, and a scanning mirror assembly. The light source is configured to emit source light from a plurality of columns of emitters formed along a first dimension, including at least a first column of emitters emitting in a first band of light and a second column of emitters emitting in a second band of light which are offset along the first dimension by a fraction of an emitter width and offset along a second dimension—that is orthogonal to the first dimension—by greater than the emitter width. The conditioning assembly receives and conditions the source light. The scanning mirror assembly scans the conditioned light along the second dimension to generate a portion of an image at a first location with a resolution that is more than a first threshold number of emitters in a unit angle in the first dimension.