Variable-Pitch Micro-LED Display for High-Throughput Color Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current augmented reality and mobile projection display systems using reflective liquid-crystal on silicon (RLCOS) technology suffer from low optical throughput and slow switching times due to bulky polarization optics and limited color-state switching speeds, which restrict their performance in providing high-resolution, high-brightness images.
Innovation Solution
The use of micro-LED technology with variable pitch per color panel, eliminating the need for polarization optics and enabling kHz switching speeds, combined with an X-cube combiner for efficient light emission, allows for simplified optics design and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If reflective liquid-crystal on silicon (RLCOS) display technology is used, then color emission is achieved, but optical throughput is reduced due to polarization optics losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the polarization optics architecture entirely from the display system. Instead of using RLCOS technology that requires front and rear polarizers, the invention employs direct-view liquid crystal display (DVLCD) technology with vertically aligned liquid crystals that can modulate light without polarization elements, thereby eliminating the 55%+ light losses associated with polarizers and improving optical throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical polarization system with an electrically controlled liquid crystal system. The vertically aligned liquid crystals are controlled by pixel electrodes that can switch between different states (off, gray, on) to modulate light transmission directly, substituting the complex polarization optics mechanism with a simpler electrical control system
2Speed
If reflective liquid-crystal on silicon (RLCOS) display technology is used, then color emission is achieved, but switching speed is limited to 60-120 Hz
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the liquid crystal system by using vertically aligned liquid crystals with specific molecular orientation and electro-optic characteristics. These liquid crystals can switch between off-state, gray-state, and on-state much faster than conventional RLCOS liquid crystals, achieving switching speeds in the kHz range rather than 60-120 Hz, while maintaining color emission capabilities through the liquid crystal's ability to modulate light transmission
3Illumination intensity
If polarization optics are used in LCOS projection systems, then color emission is achieved, but light loss increases at multiple stages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes all polarization optics elements from the optical path. By using vertically aligned liquid crystals that modulate light through birefringence and orientation control rather than polarization filtering, the system eliminates light loss at the front polarizer (55%+ loss), rear polarizer, and focusing lens elements, thereby dramatically improving light transmission efficiency and reducing energy loss
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 improved power savings, reduced system complexity and cost, and enhanced image quality by leveraging larger emitters for red and blue panels while maintaining high resolution in the green channel, effectively addressing the limitations of RLCOS technology.
Implementation Method 1
Each panel may comprise a respective array of light emitters. The multiple lights may comprise a red light, a green light, and a blue light.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to the use of variable-pitch light-emitting devices for display applications, including for displays in augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality environments. In particular, it relates to small (e.g., micron-size) light emitting devices (e.g., micro-LEDs) of variable pitch to provide the advantages, e.g., of compactness, manufacturability, color rendition, as well as computational and power savings. Systems and methods for emitting multiple lights by multiple panels where a pitch of one panel is different than pitch(es) of other panels are disclosed. Each panel may comprise a respective array of light emitters. The multiple lights may be combined by a combiner.