Multi-view Optical Film Superlens Array Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing multi-view images face challenges such as low resolution, small depth of field, and increased visibility of lens elements due to the complexity and cost of manufacturing optical films with high-density microlens arrays, as well as the need for precise alignment and high material consumption.
Innovation Solution
The method employs an optical film with a superlens array formed by two arrays of positive microlenses, where the number of superlenses per inch ranges from 0.5 to 225, allowing for increased elemental image size, reduced material consumption, and improved alignment tolerance, while using additional elemental image arrays to enhance resolution and depth of field without increasing film thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of microlenses per inch is increased to improve resolution, then the resolution of multi-view images is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single high-density microlens array into multiple separate optical films, each containing a lower-density microlens array. These films are stacked in sequence, with each film handling a portion of the total light field. This segmentation allows each individual film to be manufactured with lower complexity while collectively achieving high-resolution multi-view imaging when combined.
2Loss of substance
If the thickness of optical film is decreased to reduce material consumption, then the consumption of optical materials is reduced, but the visibility of lens elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing thickness in the vertical dimension, the patent distributes the optical function across multiple thin films stacked in the vertical dimension. Each film is thin enough to minimize material consumption but the collective stack of multiple films provides sufficient total thickness to mask lens element visibility while maintaining low material usage per film.
3Measurement precision
If the number of microlenses per inch is increased to improve resolution, then the resolution is improved, but the alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the high-density microlens array function into multiple separate films with lower density arrays. Each film can be manufactured and aligned independently with relaxed precision requirements. The segmentation of the optical function across multiple films reduces the alignment precision burden on any single film while collectively achieving high resolution.
4Device complexity
If the size of lens elements is increased to reduce the number of microlenses per inch, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the depth of field decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical function across multiple films, each containing larger-lens elements with lower density. The combined effect of multiple films with larger elements maintains manufacturing simplicity while the multi-layer configuration extends the effective depth of field beyond what a single film with large elements could achieve alone.
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 approach results in high-resolution multi-view images with increased depth of field and reduced visibility of lens elements, making the process more economical and simpler to implement, while maintaining or improving image quality across various viewing angles.
Implementation Method 1
The optical film comprises an array of superlenses formed by two arrays of positive microlenses... in a focal plane of each of the superlenses or equidistant to a surface of the optical film at a distance from a focal plane of each of the superlenses, smaller than a focal distance of each of the superlenses
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device for producing multi-view images optical films used therein are disclosed. The method and device use an optical film 2, comprising a superlens array 3 with between 0.5 to 225 superlenses per inch, formed by two arrays of positive microlenses which are fixed relative to one another. In order to produce a multi-view image 1 between a viewer 11 and the optical film 2, an array 10 of elemental images is arranged between the focal plane 9 of the superlenses 3 and the optical film 2.