Tapered Surface Optical Control for Whole Circumference Display Luminance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image display technologies for whole circumference screens struggle to provide high-quality images due to issues with uneven luminance and outside light reflection, affecting the overall display quality.

Innovation Solution

An image display device comprising an emission portion, a transparent base material with a tapered surface, and an optical portion that controls the incident angle of image light onto an irradiation target, which is disposed around the tapered surface, to improve image quality and reduce reflection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a conventional projection system is used on a whole circumference screen, then the image can be displayed, but uneven luminance occurs and image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminance uniformityVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the incident angle of light across different regions of the projection screen. By controlling the optical portion to emit light at different angles toward different azimuthal positions on the whole circumference screen, the system achieves uniform luminance distribution. Each local region receives optimized illumination according to its specific position, resolving the uneven luminance problem while maintaining high image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If light is projected directly onto the screen, then the display is simple, but outside light reflection reduces image quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical system complexityVSAvoidoutside light reflection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the incident angle of light as a key parameter. The optical portion changes the emission angle according to the azimuthal position on the screen, creating optimized optical paths that minimize outside light reflection. This parameter optimization allows the system to maintain relatively simple device structure while effectively suppressing harmful reflections through precise angular control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the incident angle of image light is not controlled, then the optical system is simple, but display quality is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical control complexityVSAvoiddisplay quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the incident angle a dynamic parameter that varies with the azimuthal position on the screen. Rather than using a fixed optical system, the patent employs an optical portion that dynamically adjusts light emission angles according to position requirements. This dynamic control achieves high display quality with optimized incident angles while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through coordinated optical design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 effectively suppresses uneven luminance and outside light reflection, enabling the display of high-quality images on whole circumference screens by optimizing the image light's incident angle and surface geometry.

Implementation Method 1

The optical portion controls an incident angle of the image light on the irradiation target, the image light having been emitted from the emission portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The optical portion controls an incident angle of the image light on the irradiation target, the image light having been emitted from the emission portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS11829061B2Image display device
Publication Date: 2023.11.28 SONY GROUP CORP
  • US11829061B2 patent drawing
  • US11829061B2 patent drawing
  • US11829061B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An image display device according to an aspect of the present technology includes an emission portion, a transparent base material, an irradiation target, and an optical portion. The emission portion emits image light along a predetermined axis. The transparent base material includes a tapered surface having a tapered shape along the predetermined axis. The irradiation target is disposed at least a part around the predetermined axis along the tapered surface. The optical portion controls an incident angle of the image light on the irradiation target, the image light having been emitted from the emission portion, the optical portion being disposed in a manner that the optical portion faces the emission portion on the basis of the predetermined axis.