Transparent Display Holographic Diffuser Optical Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing large-format transparent displays face challenges in achieving uniform illumination with sufficient intensity, a large field of view, and a large eyebox, while also being cost-effective and robust enough for harsh environments.

Innovation Solution

A transparent display featuring a holographic diffuser and an enlarging reflection element integrated into a one-piece optical unit, which guides image rays to the holographic diffuser, enhancing transparency, field of view, and eyebox, while maintaining a slim profile.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If transparent OLED displays are used to achieve transparency, then transparency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and robustness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetransparencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive transparent OLED displays with a more cost-effective optical system consisting of a projector, beam splitter, and holographic diffuser. This substitution uses readily available, less expensive components to achieve the transparency function without relying on costly OLED technology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the electronic OLED display system with an optical projection system using mirrors, beam splitters, and holographic diffusers. This mechanical-optical approach replaces the need for transparent OLED panels while achieving similar or superior transparency effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Illumination intensity

If conventional transparent displays are used, then transparency is achieved, but field of view and eyebox remain limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetransparencyVSAvoidfield of view

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a holographic diffuser to distribute light in multiple directions simultaneously, creating a three-dimensional eyebox volume rather than a limited two-dimensional viewing area. This enables viewers to perceive the image from various positions and angles, significantly expanding the effective field of view.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical system is divided into distinct functional components (projector, beam splitter, holographic diffuser) that work together to expand the viewing geometry. The beam splitter separates the projection path from the viewer path, while the holographic diffuser segments and redirects light to multiple viewing zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If image rays are allowed to travel freely in air, then device complexity is reduced, but image deterioration increases due to microparticles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical path configurationVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an optical unit serving as an intermediary medium between the reflection element and holographic diffuser. This optical unit provides a controlled environment for image ray propagation, protecting against microparticle interference while maintaining optical functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The holographic diffuser and reflection element are nested within a sealed optical unit, creating a protected internal environment. This nested structure allows image rays to travel through a controlled space isolated from external contaminants like air microparticles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 proposed solution achieves a transparency of over 50%, allows for frameless designs, and provides high-quality, evenly illuminated images with a large field of view and eyebox, addressing the limitations of conventional transparent OLED displays.

Implementation Method 1

holographic diffuser extending substantially in a two-dimensional diffuser plane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

enlarging reflection element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

image rays reflected by the reflection element are guided within the optical unit to the holographic diffuser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20250199307A1Transparent display

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 CARL ZEISS JENA GMBH

AI summary

A transparent display, comprising a holographic diffuser extending substantially in a two-dimensional diffuser plane, and comprising an enlarging reflective element, wherein the holographic diffuser and the reflective element are part of a one-piece optical unit, and wherein image rays, reflected by the reflective element, are guided inside the optical unit to the holographic diffuser.