Telecentric Light Source Layout for Distortion-Compensated Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image display devices face challenges in achieving a compact size while maintaining high-quality image display, particularly in applications like head-up displays where optical distortion and light distribution are critical.
Innovation Solution
A light source unit with a display device and imaging optical system that includes a reflective polarizing element and waveplate, configured to convert light into circularly polarized light, and a mirror that forms a telecentric image, combined with a pixel arrangement that cancels optical distortion, ensuring a Lambertian light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional imaging optical system is used, then the device can be made compact, but optical distortion occurs and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetric pixel arrangement where pixels are non-uniformly distributed across the display device. Specifically, the density of pixels varies depending on their position, with higher density in regions where optical distortion is more severe. This asymmetric arrangement compensates for the distortion introduced by the compact telecentric imaging optical system, allowing high image quality to be achieved despite the compact device size.
2Ease of manufacture
If pixels are arranged in a regular rectangular pattern, then manufacturing is simplified, but optical distortion cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by varying the pixel arrangement characteristics across different regions of the display device. Instead of a uniform rectangular pattern, the pixel density and spacing are locally adjusted based on the optical distortion characteristics of each region. This allows the system to maintain manufacturing feasibility while achieving distortion compensation through spatially varying pixel distribution.
3Illumination intensity
If the imaging optical system is made telecentric, then light distribution is improved, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the telecentric optical design with an asymmetric pixel arrangement strategy. By combining these two approaches, the system achieves improved light distribution and reduced optical distortion without proportionally increasing complexity. The asymmetric pixel arrangement works synergistically with the telecentric optical paths to compensate for distortion while maintaining a relatively compact and manageable system architecture.
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 enables a compact, high-quality image display with reduced distortion, suitable for applications like head-up displays, by optimizing light distribution and pixel arrangement to form clear, undistorted images.
Implementation Method 1
The waveplate converts the first polarized light transmitted by the reflective polarizing element into a circularly polarized light
Implementation Method 2
The reflective polarizing element transmits a first polarized light of the light emitted from the display device
Implementation Method 3
The mirror reflects, toward the waveplate, the circularly polarized light emitted from the waveplate
Data Source
AI summary
A light source unit includes: a display device configured to emit light having a substantially Lambertian light distribution and to display an image, the display device including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix configuration in a same plane, wherein pixels among the plurality of pixels located at an outermost perimeter are arranged so that straight lines connecting centers of the pixels located at the outermost perimeter do not form a rectangle; and an imaging optical system including: an input element on which light emitted from the display device is incident, and an output element on which light traveling via the input element is incident, light emitted from the output element forming a first image corresponding to the image. The imaging optical system is substantially telecentric at a first image side.