U.S. patent application number 15/442950 was filed with the patent office on 2018-01-18 for hybrid telecom network-structured architecture and system for digital image distribution, display and projection.
This patent application is currently assigned to Photonica, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Photonica, Inc.. Invention is credited to Sutherland C. Ellwood, JR..
Application Number | 20180020197 15/442950 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40957301 |
Filed Date | 2018-01-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180020197 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ellwood, JR.; Sutherland
C. |
January 18, 2018 |
Hybrid Telecom Network-structured Architecture and System for
Digital Image Distribution, Display and Projection
Abstract
A hybrid and telecom-structured image display and projection
system implementing a desired image display and projection solution
that is fast, cheap to manufacture, low-power, light-weight,
scalable in size and resolution, fast-switching and capable of a
broad range of mode characteristics of light for implementing
dimensional display and projection, flexible, rigid-flat, or
rigid-conformal as needed.
Inventors: |
Ellwood, JR.; Sutherland C.;
(Cheltenham, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Photonica, Inc. |
Beverly Hills |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Photonica, Inc.
Beverly Hills
CA
|
Family ID: |
40957301 |
Appl. No.: |
15/442950 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12371461 |
Feb 13, 2009 |
9584778 |
|
|
15442950 |
|
|
|
|
61028887 |
Feb 14, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03B 21/005 20130101;
H04N 9/3147 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 9/31 20060101
H04N009/31; G03B 21/00 20060101 G03B021/00 |
Claims
1. The apparatus described herein.
2. The method described herein.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/371,461, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,584,778, the
contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference
thereto in its entirety for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to displays and
projectors and more specifically to an image display and projection
technology that transcends limitations of mono-technologies and use
the strengths of best-in-breed methods for each desired image
display and projection characteristic.
[0003] In the field of image display and projection technologies
limitations have been revealed in all existing mono-technologies
which prevent them from implementing the next generation of
hi-speed, low cost, low power, flexible, wearable, and dimensional
display forms.
[0004] A shared limitation arises from the general reliance on a
single pixel-switching component technology to implement the entire
image-generation architecture, as typically any one pixel-switching
component technology, whether a liquid crystal (LC) cell or gas
plasma cell, a digital micro-mirror device (DMD), a magneto-optic
(MO) switch, or an organic light emitting diode (OLED), excels in
one or more but not all aspects of desired image display
functionality.
[0005] There is currently no unitary image generation technology
that is optimized for all image display characteristics.
[0006] For instance, LC has advantages in scaling of the
image-array size and image resolution size, so that it can be
manufactured in sizes ranging from 100 inch panels to a
4000.times.2000 line liquid crystal on silicon array that is a few
centimeters a side. But LC is heat intolerant and relatively
color-band unstable, requires a complex and rigid substrate
structure, and is relatively slow-switching (even the fastest,
ferroelectric liquid crystal on silicon (FLCoS), is slower than a
DMD)--too slow to support optimal dimensional image generation
(including stereoscopic and holographic).
[0007] DMD, on the other hand, along with other MEMS image array
and spatial-light modulator technologies, face yield problems in
resolution sizes greater than hi-definition television (2 k.times.1
k lines of resolution) or the DCI 2 k.times.1 k standard. And,
while being relatively more color-stable than LC's, DMD's are
relatively heat-intolerant, and while faster-switching than LC, are
still not fast enough to support comfortable, bright dimensional
display and projection images. More importantly, DMD (or Gradient
Light Valve.TM. or Qualcomm Display's IMOD) technologies do not
scale much beyond computer chip or handheld display array sizes,
due to yield limitations and limitations on upscaling the pixel
switch size to the larger pixel dimensions required for larger area
displays.
[0008] Gas Plasma, another dominant display type, has limitations
in yield, and can only be cost-effectively manufactured at sizes
between about 40'' and 80''. Switching speed also limits its
utility for desired dimensional display solutions.
[0009] OLED, assuming that materials' lifetimes in the blue range
can be extended, excels in brightness and consumes less power as
compared to the dominant LC technology. However, it also has
limitations in switching speed that prevent it from supporting
dimensional display and projection, and faces display-size scaling
and yield limitations. Currently, and perhaps inherent in the
technology, OLED is applicable to sizes ranging from handheld
displays to about 30'' displays. OLED has the potential for
fabrication on flexible substrates, but the other limitations will
be expected to apply here as well. Life expectancy of less than
1000 hours and low yields can make expensive large area displays
impractical.
[0010] EInk and other electrostatic image generation means are
optimized for fabrication on flexible substrates, but face great
limitations for acceptable color reproduction, size of the display
and switching speed for dimensional display solutions.
[0011] Magneto-optic display technology, while excelling at
switching speed and being relatively heat-tolerant and band-output
stable, has current limitations in efficient switching at visible
wavelengths for color displays, with green and blue being severely
limited in net optical output. Current thin film fabrication
technologies, such as LPE or RFM sputtering, being used as the
basis of MO displays also pose limitations in scaling MO displays
beyond computer chip or handheld display dimensions.
[0012] Given the limitations of these and other image display and
projection technologies, in which integration of all pixel
functionality is implemented in a single component technology type
and often a single modulation material and structure type, what is
needed is an image display and projection technology that can
transcend the limitations of the mono-technologies in use today,
and utilize the strengths of best-in-breed methods for each desired
image display and projection characteristic.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention discloses an image display and
projection technology that transcends limitations of
mono-technologies in use today, and uses the strengths of
best-in-breed methods for each desired image display and projection
characteristic.
[0014] Such a solution architecture and hardware technology is
provided by a hybrid and telecom-structured approach to
implementing desired image display and projection solutions that
are fast, cheap to manufacture, low-power, light-weight, scalable
in size and resolution, fast-switching and capable of a broad range
of mode characteristics of light for implementing dimensional
display and projection, flexible, rigid-flat, or rigid-conformal as
needed.
[0015] A degree of hybridization in some display technology
solutions does exist now, at the time of the present disclosure,
but to a limited extent, and it is not a deliberate strategy nor
generalized solution to achieve optimal image display and
projection characteristics. These examples known to the art,
though, are only possible because of a hybridized approach to pixel
modulation, and one of them owes its long history of success to its
hybrid nature.
[0016] The two closely related examples, both well-known to the
art, include the cathode rate tube (CRT) display and the current
generation of field-emission displays (FED) based on carbon
nanotubes as electron emitters (NEDs, including SED). The hybrid
structure of this family of display types becomes clear upon
inspection of the two-stage process of generating an individual
pixel (or R, G, B subpixel).
[0017] In the first stage, a switching system (either a
beam-steered electron gun in a CRT or an individually-addressed
nanotube electron emitter in an array) outputs electrons, and is
not modulating light directly--that happens in the second stage. In
the second stage of achieving pixel output, pixel-local generation
of light is achieved by electron-stimulation of R, G, and B
phosphors.
[0018] Without the two-stage process, the CRT and FED/NED simply
would not be possible.
[0019] But a multi-stage, multi-component approach to implementing
image display and projection generally runs counter to the
philosophy in display technology today to implement complete pixel
modulation functionality in a single unitary method or component. A
hybrid approach is generally considered inelegant or "kludgy."
[0020] The present invention contemplates a division of labor
approach, as different materials and structures, whether
implemented for image display or photonic integrated circuits, do
exhibit different relative strengths and advantages. At any given
time, for a particular application, there will an optimal
combination of approaches and components. Preferred embodiments of
the present invention provide a system solution that integrates
these functionalities most effectively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a general structural plan and process flow diagram
of a hybrid telecom-network structured image display and projection
system;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a very thin, scalable
direct-view display;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a detailed drawing of the inner components of the
display output surface;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a meta-cluster;
[0025] FIG. 5 is an illustration of pixel scaling;
[0026] FIG. 6 is an illustration of multiple image engines powering
a single display output surface;
[0027] FIG. 7 is an illustration of aggregation of intensity for
further distribution to the display output surface; and
[0028] FIG. 8 is an illustration of the coupling of the aggregated
intensity to the display output surface.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The following description is presented to enable one of
ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is
provided in the context of a patent application and its
requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and
the generic principles and features described herein will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present
invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but
is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles
and features described herein. Preferred embodiments of the present
invention include an image display and an image projector using
hybrid merged technologies.
[0030] Specifically, preferred embodiments of the present invention
include a combination of fiberoptics, with either passive
fiberoptic or fiber-device components, individually and in solid
fiberoptic textile-matte optical transport structures, with
image-generation components to implement signal aggregation, frame
allocation between components of increased net frame-rates,
mode-segregation to support dimensional displays (color band or
polarization mode, and the like), and decouple the scale of the
image generation components (modulation stage) from the scale of
the image output optics (display size).
[0031] In this generalized system, the hybridization separates the
image generation stage and componentry from the image scaling
(larger or smaller) stage and componentry, so that the dimensions
of the image generation "pixel" may be vastly different from the
output "pixel," and so that each pixel may aggregate "signal" from
multiple source devices, both for any given frame, as well as
different sources for different frames in a given second.
[0032] In other words, there is no longer a 1:1 relationship
between image engine and viewable display output surface, or a 1:1
ratio between switch dimension or number of switches and the
dimension or number of output pixels. There is instead a
many-to-one or a one to many relationship between pixel optics and
pixel modulation components.
[0033] This architecture, which then either "scales up" from pixel
modulator dimension to pixel output dimensions (for example, small
image chip>>big display) or ""scales down" from pixel
modulator dimension to pixel output dimension (projector systems,
larger image array or multiple image arrays integrated and then
scaled down to output optics to match projector lens
dimensions).
[0034] Overall, the flexibility of this conceptual approach is
extensive--a division of labor between optimized components makes
use of best-in-breed (cheaper and/or better) image generation
components and technologies in an architecture somewhat similar to
a telecommunications network, but packaged very compactly (small
projector box, very thin and flexible flat panel, lightweight and
flexible handheld, lightweight view-through display glasses).
[0035] Important Components of the Hybrid Telecom-Structured Image
Display and Projection System
[0036] Image generator components, either integrated RGB or
individual monochrome. These include chips, panels, or discrete
devices in an assembled structure. They may themselves have a
unitary or multi-stage/hybrid structure. In some applications,
telecom signal modulator components of the type used in very large
integrated or discrete arrays, may be used though they are not
otherwise practical for displays. Significant cost benefit of the
system includes use of inexpensive image generator components, and
multiple image engines per pixel for hi-resolution, large bright
displays and projectors.
[0037] Pixel Integration Optics and Signal Aggregation/Dispersion
via Physical Transposition of Fiberoptic Channels: Solid state
fiberoptic textile-matte fabricated optics structures are
fabricated to implement a cross-over spatial transform of
fiberoptic "channels" from matching pixels from separate arrays, so
that light putput can be aggregated from multiple sources, via
sorted fiberoptics, for one or more of the following: increased
light per pixel when "on", more frames per second than an
individual image component can support (division of labor of
frames-per-second between multiple image generators, e.g, three
devices each generate 1/3 of the unique frames required per
second), and simultaneous transmission of left eye/right eye
"signal" from multiple engines (color band separated, polarization
mode separated, and the like.)
[0038] Pixel Scaling Optics (up/down). While multiple channels can
be integrated to provide output for a single final pixel, an
additional stage and componentry is required to enable usage of
image generators whose dimension is optimized (cost, performance)
for a one size, while the final output dimension is needed and
optimal for another size (smaller, as in a likely projector
implementation, or larger, as in a thin display panel driven by a
smaller image engine(s).
[0039] FIG. 1 is a general structural plan and process flow diagram
of a hybrid telecom-network structured image display and projection
system 100 including a pixel generator 105, a pixel aggregator 110,
a pixel distribution subsystem 115, a pixel scaling subsystem 120
and a human visual system output 125. The process outlines a
decision path for determining the fabrication parameters for
different display categories. Example input parameters include, but
are not limited to, size of display output, number and types of
image engines, distance from image engine to output surface, pixel
resolution, and optical fiber properties (e.g., diameter, bend
radius, and the like.). The process may be described as follows
[0040] One or more image generating devices 130 through 135
generate an image using pixel generators 105. Pixel generator 105
includes a device with an array of pixels whose on-off state of
transmitting\reflecting light together form a pattern which either
is an image recognized by the human visual system or spatial
information from which an image is later formed by another device
or process.
[0041] From each individual pixel, the light (when the pixel is on)
is coupled into a light-guiding element, preferably an optical
fiber and aggregated together 140 using pixel aggregator 110. This
aggregation also serves as one embodiment of pixel distribution
subsystem 115 that splits available pixel signals into batches
between multiple final output devices for viewing. To reconcile the
dimensions of pixel generator 105 with final image output, pixel
scaling is implemented in the device 150 through 160 making up
pixel scaling subsystem 120. Human visual system output 140
provides an appropriate angle of dispersion that is required for
direct view flat panel 155 and projection applications 165.
[0042] It is important to note that pixel generator 105 may be a
square shape, or a rectangle whose sides are in a typical display
aspect ratio of 4:3, but also may be in the form of long strips or
other shapes and structures that may be advantageous to working in
cooperation with the fiberoptic output optics structures. Some
image generating devices, such as an array of planar Mach-Zender
devices, may be easier to fabricate in strip form. While not as
applicable to the simpler form of telecom network-structure display
system, and more applicable to a signal aggregation version
disclosed elsewhere herein, an important point is that the image
generating structure may be of many shapes and sizes.
[0043] A fused fiber array is preferred for collecting a matching
array of fibers and bonding that array to the image generating
surface, with the fiber's coupling core either the same size as, or
smaller than, the active pixel area. Preferably, the core
dimensions are the same as the active pixel area (typically
square), and the fiber cladding or non-coupling region matches the
fill-area between active pixel regions on the array (typically the
fill area contains the addressing matrix of the image array, which
separates each pixel).
[0044] The fused or bonded fiber array may be in fact an input end
of an optical assembly whose output end is the display "face" for
viewing by the HVS or image projection optics.
[0045] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a very thin, scalable
direct-view display 200. This illustrates one possible outcome of
the present invention. The display output can be from a single
light engine source powering a single display output or it can be
weaved together in segments to display either one larger display
powered by either a single or multiple light engines. The advantage
of multiple image engines is that one can use a variety of
technologies to achieve a best solution for a specific environment.
In the case of multiple light engines it can also function as a
large sectorized display with very little or no gaps in between
sectors that displays several video feeds at one time.
[0046] In a textile-matte Jacquard loom assembly process and
structure, optical fiber is structured in one of two ways: A)
folded and bent fibers bound-in-place in an X-Y grid to provide
pixel scaling and B) channel output aggregation based on systematic
transposition of fiberoptic channels from many discrete sources to
one array of matched meta-pixel outputs.
[0047] Folded and Bent Fibers `Bound-in-Place" in an X-Y Grid to
Provide Pixel Scaling
1.1 Folded Fibers and Bent Aggregation of Fibers
[0048] The optical fibers are separate (not fused or solid-bonded)
after a length determined by the mechanical requirements of the
fibers employed. They are mechanically held in place by an x-y grid
structure (relative to the z-axis of the fibers), which is
preferably fabricated by a 3D Jacquard looming process, as further
detailed below.
[0049] A fused fiber array is preferred for collecting a matching
array of fibers and bonding that array to the image generating
surface, with the fiber's coupling core either the same size as, or
smaller than, the active pixel area. Preferably, the core
dimensions are the same as the active pixel area (typically
square), and the fiber cladding or non-coupling region matches the
fill-area between active pixel regions on the array (typically the
fill area contains the addressing matrix of the image array, which
separates each pixel).
[0050] The fused or bonded fiber array may be in fact an input end
of an optical assembly whose output end is the display "face" for
viewing by the HVS or image projection optics.
[0051] The ratio of the dimensions of the image generating device
(or portion thereof to be addressed) and the image output face will
determine the degree of distance between the fibers in a dispersed
array.
[0052] To implement an extremely flat display, virtually all the
optical fibers (except those addressing pixels may be immediately
facing) are preferably bent at right angles or at close to right
angles. Corning produces a commercially available photonic crystal
fiber that will efficiently couple light while mechanically bent at
right angles, (e.g., Corning ClearCurve.TM. Fiber).
[0053] After being immediately bent or bent a short distance
(millimeters) from the point where the fiber array is fused and
bonded to the image output surface, the fibers fan out at some
angle (either parallel or, preferably, at a small relative angle to
the plane of the output surface, that relative angle (compared to
other fibers and pixels) as determined by the relative distance of
the fiber from the position of the image generating device and
output viewing surface of the display and the position of the pixel
relative to other pixels on the image generating devices.
[0054] The optical fiber is bent again (preferably at right angles)
at x-y coordinates that match the coordinates of the pixel to be
addressed at the viewing output surface of the display or
projection optics.
[0055] Structurally, the fibers, which must be angled or bent at
least once from the image generation/fused fiber junction to be
dispersed to the differently-scaled dimensions of the display
viewing output surface, are mechanically held in place by a grid
structure.
1.2 X-Y Grid "Bound-in-Place" Fibers
[0056] Woven displays have been proposed previously, but they have
predominantly been woven displays with active electroluminescent
x-y elements without sufficient optical path control for good
viewing angle and efficient usage of light (loss to the surrounding
matrix), and limited also by the inherent limitations of
Electro-luminescent image generating technology (including OLED).
If there are z-axis fibers or filaments (perpendicular to or
"pointing to" or "addressing" the display output surface), they are
only structural z axis fiber elements. Or, in the other known
versions of woven displays (proposed by the same inventor of the
present disclosure), they have had active z-axis elements where the
fiber is a form of fiber-device performing a portion of the
modulation process, specifically, a portion of a MO switch
process.
[0057] FIG. 3 is a detailed drawing of the display output surface.
For the purpose of this disclosure, the Z axis is the active
optical axis at the viewable display output surface 300. The
guiding of the light through the weave is achieved by periodic,
woven filaments "in-depth," from an input point of a textile-matrix
structure 305 that couples one or more image generating device(s)
310 to a viewable display output surface 315. Aggregate fibers 320
in the z-axis provide a coupling system, while the x-y
fiber/filaments, 325 and 330 are structural. A utility in the
present pixel scaling method is at the output end of the overall
textile-matte optics part.
[0058] In this embodiment, when viewed from above the plane of the
display viewing output surface, the fibers (in a version where the
image generating device sits at the relative center of the display
viewing surface it addresses) appears similar to the interconnect
fan-out from an IC chip to the PCB.
[0059] This grid structure may be of many forms for the simple
version of this hybrid, telecom-network structured display system
in which there is one pixel generating element for each pixel
output element. Among those possible include the use of
holey-sheets through which the fiber is inserted or "sewn" with a
mechanical sewing-like operation.
[0060] But preferably, and a major object of this disclosure, is
the use of a 3D Jacquard looming process that fixes into place
these passive fibers at every point, making the fiber-optic array a
unitary optical device. Fusion of the fibers (or bonding with an
adhesive) is an option at a point where the fiber input array abuts
an image generating device, and even in this instance, given a
fill-factor between active pixel area, the fill-factor spacing may
be implemented by a very fine x-y filament weave that holds the
z-axis optical fibers in place, and thus affected without
traditional fusing or epoxy bonding.
[0061] In a simple form, the optical fiber is purely a passive
optics element, and bending of the fibers is introduced to
implement an extremely thin display and, in general, providing for
great flexibility in the positioning of the image generation device
relative to the display viewing output surface.
[0062] In a Jacquard looming process, rows of x-axis, y-axis, and
z-axis fibers or filaments are manipulated in a batch process,
spatially transposed to form a 3D structure where x, y, and z
filaments and fibers are alternated and adjacent in recurring
patterns.
[0063] As is well-known from textiles manufacturing, complex
patterns are implemented by a choice of filaments that (as in the
case of a rug) are viewed in the z-axis, that is, protruding in the
plane of the woven article (rug).
[0064] Different fibers (in the case of a rug, fibers of different
color) may be disposed in the z-axis array, with potentially a
unique fiber type at each X-Y coordinate, with the z-axis normal to
the plane of the woven article. Where a dyed thread would be viewed
in the surface of the rug, there would be a pixel in a display
viewing output surface.
[0065] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a meta-cluster 400. Alternating
clusters of three different filaments or fibers 400 (in this simple
version of the present case, R, G, and B fibers), is a very simple
implementation of what is a very flexible physical pattern
generating process. The aggregation of light occurs by collection
of light at the input surface 405 and redirection to bundles of the
aggregated fibers at the output face 410. As the original Jacquard
loom was a direct precursor of the modern computer, the output of
the Jacquard loom may be viewed as the product of a physical
computing/transpositional process.
[0066] Modern woven-composite manufacturing, from commercial
suppliers such as Albany International Techniweave, is used to
fabricate such precision-tolerance parts as aircraft engine turbine
blades. Complex surfaces and shapes are achieved, with
inter-penetrating elements, in a process that begins with a rapid
virtual prototyping design phase implemented through CAD software.
Sols may be infused into the woven matrix and cured, as one method
of fabricating solid, defect-free parts exceeding the tolerances of
any traditionally machined part.
[0067] Depending on a tightness of a weave and a choice of
solutions that are injected into a woven matrix, a woven part may
be rigid or flexible. The tensile strength of optical fiber, which
(as in the example of the Corning fiber) is also extremely
mechanically durable and resistant to transverse stresses, is alone
sufficient to provide a self-structured display element needing no
external framing or bracing, resulting in a very light weight
device. A facing plate display glass is not required to implement a
complete display structure. The display optics are part of a strong
underlying structural part.
[0068] Combined with other fibers and filaments chosen only for
mechanical and other characteristics, woven display structures with
fiberoptic addressing are both functional and incredibly
durable.
[0069] It is through this integrated design and fabrication process
that the woven fiberoptic textile matte structure is fabricated. As
with other parts fabricated in this process, the resulting output
surface may be flat or implement a complex curved structure. A
piece of furniture thus can be fabricated in which display output
structure is implemented in the part. A car door or protective
military tank plating may similarly be structured with display
output capability.
[0070] Once fabricated as an integral, solid part, the input ends
of the fibers, angled, bent or tapered (depending on desired
geometry) and consolidated to meet at the face of the image
generating device may be held in place by the woven elements (with
or without infused and cured sol) or, as disclosed above,
conventionally fused or epoxy solid-bonded.
1.3 Pixel Scaling Optics
[0071] While all other aspects of this simple hybrid display with
woven fiberoptic faceplates have been disclosed, a component that
remains to be disclosed is implementation of pixel-scaling at the
output face.
[0072] In the present embodiment, the image generating device is
smaller than the desired display output viewing face. For instance,
a micro-display typically used in a cell phone may drive a woven,
flexible, rollable display output surface the size of a laptop
computer screen--for example, 15'' diagonal. Pixel scaling
reconciles the dimension of the optical fiber that abuts each pixel
of the small display (2'' dia.) (each individual subpixel or each
RGB subpixel group) with the dimension of the much larger area
viewable display surface and is the subject of the next section of
the present disclosure.
[0073] In a simple, mechanical-optics scaling solution, an optical
sheet with a cone shape or dispersion optics elements fabricated on
the facing surface of the sheet couples the output light from the
fiber and (in the case of the cone) disperses the light for (in
effect) 100% fill factor, edge to edge, of the viewable display
output surface.
[0074] Alternatively, in a commercially available method known to
the art, the terminal point of the optical fiber itself is shaped
in a taper or other lens design that provides for dispersion of
light in a wide viewing angle.
[0075] Additionally, since the die shaping the optical fiber in the
fiber drawing tower may be dynamically adjusted in the drawing
process, the fiber dimensions may be calculated to increase so that
the fiber end forms a sort of plug at the termination point,
forming the output face. Fiber shape at the termination are
preferably square-sided, or fabricated with another linear-sided
polygon shape (e.g., hexagon) that may be threaded in the loom so
that the fiber ends are "tiled" edge to edge at the output face
(dies in series may be alternated--i.e., a circular die retracts
and a die of another geometry is clamped for the fiber termination
phase).
[0076] A combination of the variable fiber diameter and geometry
and termination lens-shaping may be employed advantageously for
superior viewing angle and image output.
[0077] FIG. 5 is an illustration of pixel scaling. Alternatively,
and in a preferred embodiment 500, the output end of the fiber is
stripped to its core, or is another form of "leaky" fiber at the
output phase, that is then bundled 505 and surrounded by a
reflecting fiber cone that could be a woven reflecting fiber cone
510. Here, the pixel-scaling is implemented by the woven structure
itself.
[0078] For example, the surrounding structural filaments and fibers
at the locus of the viewable output pixel may be woven into a
depression. The structure is somewhat analogous to a stamen of a
flower and the surrounding petals. The fibers and filaments
themselves may be coated with a reflective material, or those
immediately surrounding the pixel-fiber may be photonic crystal
fibers (as with OtoBeam.TM. and Beampath optical fibers available
from Omniguide.RTM., Inc.) designed to implement high reflectance
through periodic structures in the dielectric medium inside each
fiber.
[0079] It is well-known to the art that a common method of
fabricating a photonic crystal fiber is by bundling a set of
filaments of a particular size and geometry and fusing them such
that gaps remain between the fused elements. The designing of the
gap sizes is what implements the photonic bandgap, a periodic
structure through which certain modes of light are "forbidden" to
travel (determined by solution of Maxfield's equations for the
structure in question).
[0080] Models that are commercially available and known to the art
for calculating a photonic bandgap in a dielectric medium are used
to similarly calculate an appropriate size, shape and periodicity
of an array of fibers in a "meta-pixel" structure implemented in a
woven matrix.
[0081] Optionally, a woven matrix may be heat-cured and thus
implement a degree of fusing of filaments chosen for their relative
melting temperature. Work at MIT on co-drawing disparate materials
in a composite fiber has demonstrated examples of how composite
materials may be chosen with respect to relative melt temperatures
to form practical composite photonic crystal fibers with
semiconducting and conducting elements in conjunction with the
dielectrics.
[0082] In the present embodiment of pixel-scaling solution, a
bared-core section of the fiber would protrude in a cone-like
depression, surrounded by a woven reflecting fiber cone, and would
be shaped to efficiently (using standard optical geometries)
reflect the light that leaks from the bare-core fiber. A shallow
depression and transparent filaments at the edges would provide for
a wide angle of dispersion, both through geometry and refraction
through the transparent edges of the edge-filaments.
[0083] Alternatively, instead of protruding in a concave depression
in the display output surface, the bare core fiber may be
surrounded by a woven cone or convex lens structure of transparent
or PCF fiber to accept light leaking from the bare core and
disperse it efficiently.
[0084] A variation on this approach would include burying a fiber
that is not stripped to a bare core in a woven cone or lens
structure that is chosen to disperse the more collimated light from
the unstripped fiber.
[0085] Sols may be infused in the woven matrix, which would then be
composed of reflective material at some locations, and black (light
absorbant material) to enhance the tailoring of the light output
from the display surface. The woven matrix may also be infused with
colloidal solutions of nano-crystals, which additionally (by virtue
of the optical properties of different sized nano-crystals and the
differing energy states that result from the sizes) will fluoresce
in response to input light. Phosphorous material may also be
deposited on the output fiber structures. This emissive response
can assist in not only optimizing the directionality of the output
light for viewing angle, but augment the color quality of the light
conducted from the original image generating source by the fiber
optic textile-matrix structure.
[0086] In another variation of implementing optical output
structures at least in part through the geometry of the woven
matrix at the subpixel site, a depression is formed with the pixel
fiber either unstripped and at the base of the depression, or
stripped and protruding partially. The textile matrix is infused
with a sol and cured, so that the depression is sealed.
[0087] Then a polymer or other liquid of appropriate density and
viscosity is deposited or formed (by dipping in solution and
removing or condensation) in the depression. Depending on the
desired optical requirements, the clear material is designed (by
composition and density) to cure to a specific lens shape. These
methods of forming micro-lenses, as well as others, are well known
to the art.
[0088] 1.3.1 Single Image Engine
[0089] In a final variation and equally preferred, a single fiber
abuts each RGB pixel group or one per subpixel, but it is (as an
element of the textile-matrix fiberoptics) actually a central fiber
of a first surrounding bundle of other fibers (wound, yarned or
fused), themselves surrounded by a second additional bundle of
fibers (wound, yarned or fused). The central fiber is a core-clad
fiber only at the point of abutting the image generating pixel or
subpixel, but is essentially stripped of the other surrounding
fibers of which it is only the central fiber within all but the
input portion of the textile-matrix fiberoptic structure.
[0090] The fiber is core-clad only where it is not surrounded by
the other layers of fibers, thus for a length determined by the
angle of separation between the core fibers as they geometrically
disperse from the (relatively smaller) image generating device to
the (relatively larger) viewable display output structure.
[0091] The reason for this is that, with the exception of a short
overlap length where it is surrounded by the other layers of fiber,
the core fiber is a "leaky" fiber or a bare core wrapped by the
other two layers of fibers.
[0092] Except for the same overlap distance (required to insure no
leakage) the innermost layer of wrapping fibers are themselves
leaky (implemented by commercially available methods, including
scoring or straining of fiber at periodic intervals), so that the
light from the central core fiber that physically abutted the image
generating pixel leaks into the first wrapping layer of other
bare-core or leaky fibers. The second and final layer of fibers,
which themselves may be infused or coated to insure optical
coupling, form the optical coupling means of the fiber bundle of
leaky core fibers. A spiral or wound structure adds additional
strength and flexibility to the aggregate of fibers.
[0093] What is achieved thereby is a scalable "meta-fiber" and
"meta-pixel," whose dimension is determined by the required size of
the viewable display face output pixel. It is possible to
progressively increase the dimension of the "meta-fiber" by a
stepwise conversion of coupling an outer fiber wrap into a leaky
fiber surrounded by an additional, new layer. (In the individual
fiber fabrication process, this is a simple matter of sequential
stripping-to-core or other "leaky feature fabrication" to implement
fully-clad and leaky sections).
[0094] Fiber or filaments in this structure can be shaped with a
geometry and sized as well to implement a bandgap structure,
according to well-known and commercially available models for
calculating PBG structures in dielectric structures.
[0095] For the purpose of tapering from the dimension of a viewable
output face, this process of successive "peeling" enables a
compact, final bundle of core-clad innermost fiber to terminate at
an image-generating device. A cone-type termination point at the
viewable output pixel ensures a wide viewing angle at the display
face.
[0096] The embodiments described above are an example of a simple
form of this new display system type, in which there is still a 1:1
correspondence between image generating pixel and viewable
surface/projection optics output pixel.
[0097] In the following embodiment, a telecom-network paradigm is
further exploited to decouple a reliance on a 1:1 relationship
between image engine and viewable display structure and a 1:1
relationship between pixel "information" source and viewable pixel
output.
[0098] 1.3.2 Multiple Image Engines for Direct-View Displays
[0099] In the following embodiment, there remains a 1:1
relationship between the gross number of pixels switched at the
image engine stage and the number of viewable output pixels, but
(as indicated in the prior sections of this disclosure), that does
not mean that only one individual image generating device is
driving the entire viewable output array and every viewable pixel
in that array.
[0100] FIG. 6 is an illustration of multiple image engines powering
a single display output surface. An alternate preferred embodiment
discloses an image display device in which multiple image
generating devices "drive" a single viewable display area or
portions of a total viewable display area 600.
[0101] In this alternate embodiment, the resolution of the driving
image generating device may be the same as the image resolution of
the viewable output display surface, or it may be of lesser
resolution. There are in fact several versions and purposes to
which the use of multiple image generating devices may be put:
[0102] Use of Multiple Lower-resolution Image Engines to Drive
Sub-sectors of the Final Viewable Output Display Surface.
[0103] Use of Multiple Image Engines to Drive Duplicate Pixels of a
Larger-Scale Final Viewable Output Surface
[0104] Use of Multiple Image Engines to Implement Stereoscopic or
Other Dimensional Display Types Via Differentiated Pixel
Outputs
Sub-Case 1 Embodiment: Multiple Image Devices Driving Sectorized
Display
[0105] A typical version of this embodiment would find a large flat
panel display, fabricated in the same Jacquard-loom fiberoptic
textile-matrix method disclosed above. But it would differ from the
simplest case in the prior embodiment in that instead of all the
addressing optical fibers loomed and gathered in a "fan-out" from
one (simplest case: central) smaller image generating device,
forming in perspective a small, very flat pyramidal structure,
would be gathered by the display sector (a subsection of the
overall viewable display surface) into multiple pyramidal
structures, edge-to-edge adjacent 200.
[0106] A 4:3 landscape flat panel display, then, might have 6
smaller (for instance, cell-phone type) displays, three for the top
half, three for the bottom half, dividing the overall display into
6 sectors. In this example, the cell-phone type displays would be
back-illuminated by a more powerful source then used in a cell
phone, for instance, a more powerful LED module, such as those
manufactured by Luminus.
[0107] The woven textile-matrix structure is treated as an
integrated part where the optical fibers as textile elements are
terminates at the display output surface (on the z-axis). In
conjunction with the appropriate pixel scaling solution (see
above), the optical fibers are folded or bent or curved to converge
at the image generating device driving that sector (1/6 of the
total display area). What this would appear to be is two rows of
three pyramidal structures on the back side of the overall display
600.
[0108] The image generating device or devices 605 do not have to be
a mirror dimension to the overall display, and do not have to be
arranged parallel to the plane of the overall display. An
arrangement where the image generating devices are facing and
parallel to the plane of the overall viewable display surface is
only a simple version of this scheme. Image generating devices can
be arranged with their pixel plane perpendicular to the plane of
the overall viewable display surface, or arranged to be at the
edges of the overall display or even outside the plane of the
overall display, to the side.
[0109] These variations in relative spatial arrangement of
image-generating device and overall viewable output surface simply
change the slope of the addressing optical fibers as they are woven
and gathered from their output position through a guiding grid plan
620 to the overall viewable display surface 610 and 615. Instead of
very flat, symmetrical pyramids, what would be viewed would be
wedges whose thickness is greatest at the edge of the overall
display and a minimum at the center of the display.
[0110] The image generating devices do not have to be of the same
technology. Combinations of several different image generating
devices can be used to harness the best in class of each for a
final viewable output that is superior to any single image
generating technology.
[0111] Alternatively, the image-generating devices can be
fabricated as long strips, either parallel to the top or sides (or
both) of the overall viewable display output surface. Various
geometries for the image generating devices are possible, only
requiring differences in the relative slopes of the addressing
fibers, where they may be folded or bent or curved, and the overall
topology of the fiberoptic textile-matrix part that forms the
optics addressing structure of the display.
[0112] In a flexible display version of this embodiment, the
driving-display strips would structurally be somewhat akin to
widely-spaced "Venetian blind" slats, united by the overall textile
fiberoptic display structure.
Sub-Case 2 Embodiment: Multiple Image Devices to Drive Duplicate
Pixels in Larger Viewable Displays
[0113] In very large direct-view displays, as the ratio of the area
of the viewable display surface and the size of the image
generating device increases in magnitude, an auxiliary method for
addressing the problem of upscaling pixels is to employ duplicate
image generating devices via 300 to drive duplicate pixels, forming
"meta-pixels" in large scale displays composed of multiple optical
fibers or meta-fibers as shown in 500.
[0114] Thus, a relatively smaller image-generating device that is a
driver of a larger-area display may have greater native resolution
than the larger viewable display and use that native resolution to
drive duplicate pixels (pixels in groups with the same image
information or on-off state). i.e., a 4 k compact image generating
device driving an HD or 2 k viewable display has 4.times.HD of
pixel capacity. Those extra pixels would simply send the same pixel
information down 4 optical fibers or meta-fiber cluster.
[0115] Alternatively, multiple image generating devices driving
different sectors may divide their native resolution by some
integer by using multiple generating pixels to generate duplicate
pixel information down multiple fibers. Thus, an image generating
device with native HD resolution may use that native resolution to
output HD/4 actual unique picture information/resolution, sending
the same pixel state information down groups of 4 fibers. To supply
aggregate HD picture information to the overall viewable display
structure, this example, would require 4 HD-native image generating
devices driving 4 edge-to-edge sectors of the overall viewable
display surface.
2. Channel (Pixel) Output Aggregation Based on Systematic
Transposition of Fiberoptic Channels from Many Discrete Sources to
One Array of Matched Meta-Pixel Outputs
[0116] To fully realize the potential of the telecom
network-structured image display and projection system, in which
the display is treated as a photonic or opto-electronic network
leveraging the relative strengths of a wide range of techniques and
components of optical switching (fiber-chip, fiber-device, and
PIC), there is a need to treat the color state of an image display
pixel as a final "signal" whose composition may be composed of
multiple signal sources from a variety of devices and modulation
techniques.
[0117] A basic building block of this generalized architecture is
found in a more complex utilization of the physical Jacquard loom
fabrication system. Through a systematic transpositional assembly
model, fiberoptic channels are sorted, aggregated, and grouped,
combining discrete channel sources from disparate elements into
integrated output assemblies. The solid textile-matte optics
structure may thus be viewed as a physical transform matrix.
[0118] FIG. 7 is an illustration of aggregation of intensity for
further distribution to the display output surface. In a simple
version of the channel aggregation 700, differing subpixels
originate from different image generating devices 705. In any given
color or image information display system of N elements where each
element originates from a different, specialized and independent
image-generating device (a set of three monochrome RGB devices, for
instance), with an RGB 3-subpixel system being a system of 3
picture information elements, optical fibers disposed in the
general Z-axis with respect to an x-y textile gridding structure
(defining the viewable output surface and holding the z-axis fibers
separate and in position), are arranged in unique sets of N rows.
See FIG. 8.
[0119] Whether arranged in diagonal clusters or compact symmetric
groupings (a display system of 3 elements would symmetrically be
arranged in a triangle or chevron pattern, with two elements in one
column and one element in an adjacent column), each element
occupies a separate row. In an HD resolution display system of 2
k.times.1 k pixels, alternating sets of R, G and B rows have 2000
optical fibers (or meta-fibers) per color-subpixel row.
[0120] FIG. 8 is an illustration of the coupling of the aggregated
intensity to the display output surface. In an RGB color subpixel
system 800, there would be seen, as viewed in the plane of the
display face 805, alternating sets of z-axis Red, Green and Blue
Rows 810. At the viewable display output surface, all the Red rows
(every third row of each set of RGB rows) would be held in the
output face of the viewable display at the appropriate Red position
of each RGB grouping.
[0121] But then, employing batch-operations manipulating entire
rows at time in the weaving of x, y and z axis fibers or filaments,
the red rows are then be separated systematically from their
adjacent blue and green rows and subpixel clusters, and ultimately
routed to a dedicated monochrome image generating device.
[0122] In one embodiment of a spatial transposition and sorting via
batch looming operation, from the viewable output face, to
segregate all the red fibers into one fiber bundle that would be
routed to a monochrome Red image generating device, all the Red
fibers are folded at a different distance from the viewable display
face than the Green and the blue. Thus the red, green and blue
fibers would fan out from the monochrome red image generating
device each on their own plane, disposed at different distances
from the viewable display face 805.
[0123] In another embodiment, where the fibers are bent and are
routed at an angle to different monochrome image generating
devices, in a simple version the Red rows (and fibers) are bent a
short distance from the viewable surface and then angled to be
gathered together at one side of the display backplane (forming
what would be viewed as a half or a pyramid whose base is as wide
as the entire viewable display face); the Green rows are gathered
to the device at the center of the backplane (seen as a symmetrical
pyramid whose base is again the entire width and height of the
display face; and the blue rows are gathered to the side opposite
the red, seen as a half-pyramid.
[0124] The pyramids appear to overlap, because while the overall
textile-matrix fiberoptic backplane is one piece, the fibers (in
the assembly process) have freedom of movement by row, and thus red
fibers angle one way, passed by blue fibers angling the other way,
and by the green fibers angling still another way.
[0125] Because entire alternating RGB rows are separate from each
other and have freedom of movement in batch weaving operations, the
fibers are free to angle away from the display face to be gathered
and then butted to monochrome image generating devices arranged in
whatever way is most efficient for the overall display system
packaging (see prior discussion of options in spatial orientation
and geometry of image generating devices).
[0126] As indicated previously, this method of systematic grouping,
segregation and aggregation of pixel channels is applicable to any
generalized system of N picture elements. Thus, this can be
extended to meta-pixel groupings of spatially-differentiated pixel
sets as well as to simple RGB systems of 3 elements, to implement
dimensional (stereoscopic, holographic) displays, as referenced in
a prior section of this overall disclosure.
[0127] In any case, sets of fiber providing display information are
grouped in the viewable display face, then by segregating output
types by rows and batch-manipulating the rows in a loom frame and
arranging them to be separated from their display-face groupings
and to then be aggregated by type so that they may be butted to
specialized image generating devices.
[0128] To allow use and implementation of the widest possible array
of optical modulation technologies, as well as use of image
generating devices that individually may be relatively
slow-switching, temperature-sensitive and thus limited in optical
load, and spectral-band limited at the device level, a method is
required to aggregate multiple signal sources and combining them in
a single integrated channel (fiber or meta-fiber).
[0129] Such an objective is implemented by the same method as
specified above for affecting a spatial transform of fibers issuing
from N discrete devices which then need to be de-segregated and
grouped in recurring sets of N fibers in a display output
matrix.
[0130] There are a variety of applications for which this type of
solution is immediately and obviously beneficial.
[0131] For instance, this is a practical need for hi-brightness
image display or projection systems, or hi-speed display or
projection systems, in which a hi-performance total system may be
achieved by using multiple image generating devices that alone can
not efficiently pass enough light or can not process enough frames
per second, but by combining their output into a final single
channel (for instance, in a 20 k lumen digital cinema projection
application) sufficient lumens may be aggregated, and frames from
separate image generators interleaved, to achieve a hi-brightness,
fast-switching system. Thus from basic componentry that cannot
handle or pass bright light nor generate sufficient frames per
second for applications such as stereoscopic or holographic display
or projection, a digital cinema projection system or extremely
large (viz., wall-sized), hi-performance direct view display may be
achieved.
[0132] Other light modulator methods, such as Mach-Zender switches
and other planar modulation switches in photonics that modulate
coherent, narrow band light may benefit from the signal aggregation
method as well, and make them practical for display applications
that they would otherwise be unsuited for.
[0133] Some switch types cannot handle the input intensity, nor
pass sufficient light without boosting in the modulation process.
In addition, coherent narrow laser light is not safe for the HVS in
certain display applications, which would thus (with the benefit of
the present disclosure) make impractical most if any display
applications for these types of modulators.
[0134] Multiple, individually narrow bands may be aggregated from
differently optimized switch arrays, bands can be passed through
fiber designed to allow bandwidth to grow and coherence to be
broken down. Sufficient intensity can be aggregated to support
large, bright image areas, whether direct-view (especially in
daylight) or projected.
[0135] For the purpose of signal aggregation, once signal is
aggregated from separate sources grouped in sets of fibers to
ultimately supply a unified meta-pixel, there must be a means of
mixing the signals from the grouped fibers.
[0136] In aggregating signals, familiar devices from
telecommunications where multiple fibers insert signals that are
combined and then routed into a single output fiber are options for
this purpose (routers, circulators, ring resonators, and the
like).
[0137] But preferably, the signal aggregation employs the methods
disclosed previously for the formation of meta-pixels. In large
area, bright direct-view displays, physically scaling down from a
set of input fibers to one output fiber is not required; leaky
fibers may be those cases combined and coupled through index or
photonic crystal structures surrounding them, without scaling down
to a smaller end-pixel dimension. Upscaling to even larger output
pixels is possible using the methods previously disclosed.
[0138] By contrast to a larger direct-view display, in a projection
application that benefits from this method, the output optics of
the projection system will generally be of much smaller size than
the aggregate size (or even individual size) of the image
generating devices whose output is aggregated.
[0139] The down-scaling requirement for projection systems
employing the signal aggregation solution may be viewed as the
inverse of the pixel up-scaling requirement of a smaller image
engine directly addressing, through the fiber, a larger-area direct
view display.
[0140] The methods of combining light are essentially the same,
however, as in upscaling--leaky fibers combined together with a
core fiber--with the core fiber in this case serving as the output
fiber, rather than input fiber, surrounded by a coupling sleeve as
shown in 400.
[0141] The direction of light, therefore, is opposite in a
projection application with down-scaling vs. a large-area
direct-view system with pixel upscaling: in upscaling, there is a
single input fiber that is stripped to its core, or is a leaky
fiber, while surrounded with other leaky fibers or optics that
accept the leaked light of the single fiber and convey the light
through the now larger-dimensioned meta-fiber.
[0142] At all times, coatings and sols with nano-crystals or bulk
reflective material may be advantageously utilized so as to limit
back-reflections in either the upscaling or downscaling structures,
using the meta-fiber approach.
[0143] When downscaling, the direction of light and process flow is
from a larger group of fibers into a central leaky or stripped-core
fiber, or structured in a woven textile optic that terminates in a
single fiber that when past this exchange or coupling stage is the
sole carrier of the hi-intensity signal.
[0144] Alternatively, other commercial and well-known optics or
photonic or opto-electronic devices may be employed, whereby
multiple fibers are inserted separately or in a bundle into an
optical structure or interconnect device that (simple versions are
a cone or lens) couples or focuses the combined signal into the
output fiber. A wide range of methods are well-known to the art,
previously referenced, and may be selected as options for the
overall system.
[0145] Overall, then, the macro-operation of a projection system
can be viewed as the inverse of the structures described for the
cases in which a smaller image generating engine drives a larger
viewable output display. In a projection system, what is the input
end of the direct-view system, a bundle of (in simplest form) RGB
fibers, is the output optics of a projection system.
[0146] The output optics, then, which preferably in a projection
system is a fused-fiber array of RGB fibers which have aggregated
light and frames from multiple (cheap but temperature sensitive,
slow image engines), dispenses with the need for prism optics to
combine light from separate RGB image engines.
[0147] The process of aggregation can be repeated in multiple
steps. Image engines can be combined to aggregate enough light for,
say, the net blue subpixel array, as well as to deliver sufficient
number of frames per second, and dimensionally-differentiated
channels as well.
2.1 Embodiment: Image Server Architecture for Digital Cinema
[0148] An "image server" architecture, derived from telecom network
architectures, follows, in which multiple, cheap image generation
panels, for example LCD panels using efficient LED illumination
modules (ref Luminus), which may be easily field-replaceable,
aggregates to fiber bundles sufficient illumination per frame, and
enough frames per second, and essentially infinitely scalable
resolution.
[0149] For each final color output channel, many cheap image
generators may be employed, each generating/passing a portion of
the light needed to illuminate a giant screen, and/or each
generating a portion of the frames needed to support
strainless-sterescopic or hi-response holographically-projected
images. It is the fiberoptic textile-matrix network parts that
achieve the aggregation and integration of source signal.
[0150] What is enabled is this: 16 k of stereoscopic image
projection, at 60 fps per eye, using single mode PCF fiber in a
fused RGB array passing the final image to the outboard projector
optics (one fiber per color channel is all that is necessary, as
the separate R, G and B channels can be downscaled and inserted
into a final single pixel fiber for the final output).
[0151] Any other image-generating units and display types may be
employed in an "image server" architecture, including FLCoS, OLED,
MOD, DMD, MEMS, Mach-Zender, and the like.
[0152] Image-blades would be field replaceable and upgradeable,
with telecom-derived opto-mechanical alignment and testing systems
in place on each blade-slot. With segregated pixels per fiberoptic
channel, testing for alignment is easily performed by digital
network back-scatter detection, thus making alignment of optics
much easier than in bulk optics.
2.2 Embodiment: Image Server Distribution Architecture for the
Home, Business and Theaters
[0153] In a simple example of a telecom network-structured image
distribution and display/projection system for the home, a set of
one or more image servers of aggregate 4 k.times.2 k picture
information density can be employed, with sufficient variable
illumination means to deliver picture to 4 HD-resolution fiberoptic
textile-matrix viewable display surfaces.
[0154] As optical fiber to and within the home is deployed
worldwide, the opportunity to treat image display and projection
needs in this flex-capacity and networked manner will mean
significant savings to the buyer of display and projection
equipment for the home.
[0155] Upgradeable image servers can be inserted in a central
"rack" for the home, expanding capacity of the home image network.
Fiberoptic textile-matrix display surfaces (of infinitely variable
shapes and sizes) may be fabricated with native fiber resolution
beyond what the HVS can differentiate, but in the cases of lower
resolution structures, like a relatively inexpensive passive
fixture, they can be replaced as needed.
[0156] As new and better modulation technologies are developed, the
telecom network-structured system is the constant and can take
advantage of cheaper, faster and brighter modulation and
illumination technologies and modules.
[0157] But the opportunities for centralized image-server
architecture for theaters, hotel guest rooms, and public
entertainment spaces should be equally apparent.
[0158] Instead of buying standalone devices for each auditorium, or
for each guestroom, or at each point in public space where image
display is needed, fiberoptic textile-matrix fixtures may be
located to tap into the fiberoptic distribution system.
[0159] As in the home model, the image-server distribution and
display/projection architecture provides for expandable capacity
and upgradeability.
[0160] The image-server distribution model, in a information
display intensive world, is equally applicable to non-entertainment
business and industrial applications.
[0161] In sum, the telecom network-structured image display and
projection system model inherently provides an improved solution as
compared to mono-technology displays, by leveraging best-in-breed
light-networking and modulation components for each stage of the
image generation and distribution process.
[0162] While the benefits are immediate for a standalone display or
projection system, the advantages are increased significantly when
the network model is implemented on a build-wide scale, with
centralized illumination means, modulation modules, and multiple
final direct-view and projection optics fixtures at any location in
the building where fiberoptic hookup is provided. Automatic
lock-alignment mechanisms at hookup locations will make technician
assistance unnecessary, especially as known methods of routing
complete images down optical fiber are optimized and implemented
and discrete fiber pixels themselves become less necessary (this
variant is in effect the ultimate pixel down-scaling).
[0163] Whether implemented in a rollable or folded and deployable
or inflatable fiberoptic display matrix for handheld and wearable
applications, or in the form of view-through augmented reality
glasses, or as building-wide image distribution systems, the
network-structured display system can be adapted to any display
requirement and provide the inherent benefit of its photonic
"division-of-labor" model to that need.
[0164] A hybrid display-centric world may be envisioned, where the
flexible portable screen driven by portable microdisplay "unplugs"
when at home or work and unfolds at maximum size for comfortable
work or entertainment applications with the central building image
server taking over the job of delivering image content to the
screen that was seconds ago driven by the billfold-size
laptop-capacity personal media-computer device.
[0165] While the above description focuses on a preferred
embodiment for an image display and projector system/method, the
present invention may be extended to other applications, systems,
and methods.
[0166] In the description herein, numerous specific details are
provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide
a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an
embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of
the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies,
methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other
instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not
specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring
aspects of embodiments of the present invention.
[0167] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment",
"an embodiment", or "a specific embodiment" means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus,
respective appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in an
embodiment", or "in a specific embodiment" in various places
throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the
same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures,
or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present
invention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more
other embodiments. It is to be understood that other variations and
modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described
and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings
herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of
the present invention.
[0168] Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures
should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless
otherwise specifically noted. Furthermore, the term "or" as used
herein is generally intended to mean "and/or" unless otherwise
indicated. Combinations of components or steps will also be
considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as
rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear.
[0169] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims
that follow, "a", "an", and "the" includes plural references unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the
description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the
meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise.
[0170] The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the
present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and
examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative
purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within
the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in
the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these
modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the
foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present
invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
[0171] Thus, while the present invention has been described herein
with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of
modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the
foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some
instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be
employed without a corresponding use of other features without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth.
Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the
present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited
to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of
the appended claims. Thus, the scope of the invention is to be
determined solely by the appended claims.
* * * * *