CA2113212A1 - High resolution luminous color matrix display system - Google Patents
High resolution luminous color matrix display systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA2113212A1 CA2113212A1 CA002113212A CA2113212A CA2113212A1 CA 2113212 A1 CA2113212 A1 CA 2113212A1 CA 002113212 A CA002113212 A CA 002113212A CA 2113212 A CA2113212 A CA 2113212A CA 2113212 A1 CA2113212 A1 CA 2113212A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- light
- diffuser
- matrix display
- fibre
- spectral
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N9/00—Details of colour television systems
- H04N9/12—Picture reproducers
- H04N9/14—Picture reproducers using optical-mechanical scanning means only
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/04—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings formed by bundles of fibres
- G02B6/06—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings formed by bundles of fibres the relative position of the fibres being the same at both ends, e.g. for transporting images
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
- G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
- G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
- G02F1/1335—Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. polarisers or reflectors
- G02F1/133504—Diffusing, scattering, diffracting elements
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
- G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
- G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
- G02F1/1335—Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. polarisers or reflectors
- G02F1/133524—Light-guides, e.g. fibre-optic bundles, louvered or jalousie light-guides
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F9/00—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements
- G09F9/30—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements
- G09F9/305—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements being the ends of optical fibres
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Nonlinear Science (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Mathematical Physics (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)
Abstract
A white light source which is situated on one side of a transparent flat panel matrix display (LCD), is divided into its' spectral frequencies (colors) so that each of the spectral colors is directed to an assigned portion of the said flat panel matrix display surface at a minimum angle of incidence.
Optical fibres or rods are positioned to the opposite face of the transparent flat panel matrix display so that their ends correspond to one or more pixels on the said flat panel matrix display surface and so that an active pixel will block the spectral source light while an inactive pixel will allow it to pass through the transparent flat panel matrix display and into the said fibre or rod.
These same optical fibres or rods are divided into groups which are then subdivided into sub-groups so that a sub-group carries a single common spectral color and a group carries a complement or complete set of spectral colors. Each group of optical fibres or rods is coupled to a diffuser-attenuator that combines the spectral output of the said group and controls the total light intensity output.
Each diffuser-attenuator supplies its' spectral composition of light power to a single optical fibre or rod, the output end face of which constitutes a single pixel on the high resolution color matrix display.
Optical fibres or rods are positioned to the opposite face of the transparent flat panel matrix display so that their ends correspond to one or more pixels on the said flat panel matrix display surface and so that an active pixel will block the spectral source light while an inactive pixel will allow it to pass through the transparent flat panel matrix display and into the said fibre or rod.
These same optical fibres or rods are divided into groups which are then subdivided into sub-groups so that a sub-group carries a single common spectral color and a group carries a complement or complete set of spectral colors. Each group of optical fibres or rods is coupled to a diffuser-attenuator that combines the spectral output of the said group and controls the total light intensity output.
Each diffuser-attenuator supplies its' spectral composition of light power to a single optical fibre or rod, the output end face of which constitutes a single pixel on the high resolution color matrix display.
Description
211~212 FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a high resolution luminous color display system which utilizes natural visible white light. The light source is divided into its' component spectral colors and selected by means of transparent flat panel matrix displays such as LCD' s which act as light filters and optical fibres or rods which act as conductors. The system output is controlled by the flat panel matrix displays which are externally driven by means of one or more digital processors or by other means such as TV's, VTR's, VCR's and even video cameras provided the signals are first processed and encoded to conform to the format specifications required by this system. The viewing surface is composed of optical fibre or rod ends which act as pixels to deliver the selected spectral light composition output.
PRIOR ART
There are two essential elements involved in producing quality images on a luminous display: Definition and color. Definition is determined by the relative size and number of distinct picture elements (pixels) on a display. Color involves the number of colors which are available per pixel and of course, the quality or richness of that color which essentially involves hue, saturation and brightness.
The most commonly used color display at the present time is the cathode ray tube (CRT). A more recent development in color display technology is the flat panel matrix display or liquid crystal display which is quickly gaining in stature primarily as a result of it's low energy consumption as well as its' inherent simplicity and profile which make it lighter and more portable than the CRT display.
Firstly, because both of the aforementionned displays are essentially closed systems, as opposed to being expandable, and since the manufacturing processes involved in producing these systems impose restrictions on their sizes, they are of themselves self-limiting in terms of size.
Also, because of the way in which they function, there are limitations imposed on their configurations. An oval shaped display would for example, present some problems involving image distortion.
The definition deficiencies associated with conventional displays are well known. They are most apparent on large dimensioned displays which are intended to be viewed at a distance. Up close, the pixels are quite evident and the outlines of objects on the display tend to be jagged. These deficiencies are responsible for relegating conventional displays to second place behind the photographic and film imaging technologies in terms of image quality. The limitations imposed by inadequate definition limits the applications for which the displays can be used.
Virtual Reality systems require higher levels of realism and more flexibility in terms of configuration and size of the displays.
As well, Virtual Reality displays should provide full vison periphery images. That is, images for which the borders are outside the human scope of vision. Large displays which can be viewed from any distance will also be required.
Another important limiting factor in acheiving higher definitions which will not be avoided by the proposed high definition stAn~Ard of HDTV is that three separate sub-pixels are required to produce one colored pixel. Red, green and blue are typically assigned to separate screen locations effectively limiting picture definition by two thirds.
Currently, high resolution CRT graphic display terminals offer a choice of resolutions whereby the total number of colors available is reduced as resolution is increased and the resolution is decreased as the number of colors is increased.
211~212 This relation between color and resolution is tied to the capabilities of the processor itself (speed and number of bits).
Color quality is also subject to limitations. for the CRT, these relate to the phosphor compounds which are used to create the primary colors. The primary colors for light are red, green and violet. Only the purest of primary light colors will reproduce true color. Using light color as perceived by our sense of sight in nature as a benchmark for measuring light color quality in a visual display, it becomes clear that we can see the difference between reality and what technology has so far chosen as a standard for reproducing that same reality.
21i3~12 SU~IARY OF THE INVENTION
Virtual Reality applications now under development will challenge our current visual display technologies. The object of the present invention is to provide a visual display that overcomes the limitations of current visual display technologies. By using white light to produce color at the source, the system aims to improve the quality of light color. In addition, the use of flat panel matrix displays as filters which regulate the selection and intensity of colored light is conceptually simple. As such, it allows for a simple and direct digital interface between the spectral light selection control and the light output. It also allows the visual display to maintain a very high definition while featuring an unprecedented number of colors without flicker and contrast difficulties, easily and consistently. The use of monochrome LCD's which are faster than color LCD's, to control color is a concept which lends itself to the digital nature of today's video graphics.
Given that color is produced by one or more wavelengths or frequencies of light and that the intensity or amount of light for each wavelength or frequency in a given light composition is a determinant factor in the resultant color, a light diffuser-attenuator receives its' light input from a group consisting of a number of optical fibres or rods, the number of which is determined in accordance with the following considerations: The said group of fibres or rods is divided into sub-groups so that each sub-group carries a single common spectral frequency. The 211321~
number of sub-groups equals the number of spectral base colors to be utilized by the system. The number of fibres or rods in a sub-group determines the level of light intensity control available for the particular spectral frequency. The positioning of the fibres or rods on the matrix surface is effected in such a way as to allow a selection to be made along two dimensional axis' (x and y). The fibres of each sub-group are lined up along one axis so that a selection along that axis serves to add units of light intensity for the proprietary spectral frequency. The sub-groups are positioned along the opposite axis so that a selection along that axis represents a selection of the base spectral colors to be included in the mix.
In determining the optimal configuration, it is necessary to understand that it may be preferable to maximize the number of sub-groups in order to increase the number of possible light color compositions as opposed to using a minimum number of sub-groups as would be done in a system which aims to utilize the three primary light colors. The reason for this is that the selection of color and intensity is based on the binary output of the controlling device so that a single bit controls a single fibre or rod. As such, the number of spectral colors or sub-groups, when used as an exponent by which a base 2 is raised in accordance with Boolean mathematics, will yield a higher number of possibilities when it is highest. The intensity fibres on the other hand are merely additive. i.e. if two intensity fibres are selected, it matters little which two are chosen.
.
A short table has been prepared showing various configurations of spectral colors and intensities for four and six fibre groups, and the resultant numbers of possible compositions:
TOTAL NUMBER NUMBER OF NUMBER OF TOTAL NUMBER
OF FIBRES IN SUB-GROUPS FIBRES PER OF POSSIBLE
A GROUP (SPECTRAL SUB-GROUP RESULTANT
FREQUENCIES) (INTENSITIES) COMPOSITIONS
It is of course also important to assign enough intensity control units to provide a sufficient degree of contrast. A balance between spectral light intensities and number of colors must be established.
To calculate and arrive at an approximation of the total number of colors available for each pixel on the viewing screen in a symmetrical configuration where the number of sub-groups is equal to the number of intensities, the base 2 is raised to the exponent equal to the total number of fibres in a group and the result is divided by two. The actual number of colors available should be slightly larger than this last number. A 36 fibre group for example, configured in a 6 X 6 fibre or rod arrangement would yield in excess of 34 billion possible colors to the viewing surface.
211321~
The following Table shows the relation between the total number of fibres included along the spectral color selection axis (equal to the number of sub-groups) and the resultant maximum number of colors made available to each pixel on the viewing display. It should be noted that the same data may be used to determine the number of colors made available to the viewing display in a system configuration where the number of sub-groups equals the number of intensities. In the later case, the number of fibres would be the total number of fibres in a group and the resultant number of colors would be approximately half the number shown.
NUMBER OF NUMBER OF
FIBRES/RODSRESULTANT COLORS
~.
211~21~
HIGH RESOLUTION LUMINOUS COLOR MATRIX DISPLAY SYSTEM
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a front elevation partly in section of one embodiment.
Figure 2 is a plan view partly in section of the viewing display portion of another embodiment utilizing a stereoscopic display.
Figure 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the embodiment which illustrates the principles of the embodiment starting at the light source and ending at the display surface.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of an enlargement taken from line III-III of Figure 3 which illustrates the assembly and embodiment of two component parts of the display.
Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of an enlargement of a portion of two embodiments taken from line V-V of Figure 3.
Figure 7 is a sectional view of the diffuser-attenuator.
Figure 8 is a perspective view partly in section of an embodiment of the invention where the diffuser-attenuator functions are accomplished through direct interface of the fibres or rods.
A high resolution luminous color display system incorporating a viewing display (1). The viewing display being comprised of a number of optical fibres or rods (2) having their light output ends (3) as the pixels on the viewing display and being sleeve clad (4) and fitted into the openings of a tightly formed, honeycomb shaped rigid grid support (5) which serves to hold each fibre or rod end so that each is adjacent to the next one on six q, 211~212 sides and to also guide their positioning through the viewing plane and within an established range in the direction indicated by their longitudinal axis.
The other end of these same fibres, being the light input end, is coupled to an adjustable light attenuator of known properties and a light diffuser of known properties, hereinafter referred to as the diffuser-attenuator (6). The diffuser-attenuator serves in the first instance to combine the light output of a multiplicity of individual light sources provided by a group of optical fibres or rods (7), each carrying a proprietary light frequency in the visible spectrum (color), and in the second instance, serving as an adjustable global limiter of the combined light power to the single viewing pixel fibre (2).
Figure 7 illustrates the functions of the diffuser-attenuator (6). The light output of the said group of fibres or rods (7) enters an air space (15) of calculated dimension which serves to attenuate the light power before it proceeds to enter the substance of the diffuser (16). Increasing the dimensions of the air space by increasing the distance between the ends of the fibres or rods and the substance of the diffuser decreases light power which is lost by diffraction through the lateral sides (17) of the confines of the air space. Thus the intensity of the light entering the diffuser is reduced.
The diffuser is a solid core of transparent substance having an 1~ -21i3212 index of refraction similar to that of the single viewing pixel fibre (2), funnel shaped so that most of the light (14) moving through the diffuser will collide with the sides of the diffuser at a maximum angle of incidence and be reflected back towards the core of the diffuser. ThiS effectively traps the light and minimizes the loss of light power from the diffuser as well as mixes or recombines the spectral frequencies before it enters the single viewing pixel fibre or rod to which the diffuser is connected.
Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the diffuser-attenuator functions are effected via a more direct interface between the said group of fibres or rods and the single viewing pixel fibre or rod.
The embodiment shown in Figure 8 requires that the combined diameters of the fibres or rods in the said group (7) of fibres or rods is less than or equal to the diameter of the single viewing pixel fibre or rod (2) so that the light transfer from the said group to the single unit is accomplished by positioning the ends of the fibres or rods of the said group directly facing the single viewing pixel fibre or rod end. A sleeve (17) binding both conduits permits that an air space exist between the facing ends thus allowing a set level of attenuation of light power.
The diffusion and combining of the spectral frequencies occurs within the substance of the single viewing pixel fibre or rod.
I/
211~212 The group of fibres or rods (7) which supplies each diffuser-attenuator is, at the input end, strategically positioned to the face of a transparent flat panel matrix display such as a monochrome liquid crystal display (8J. Each fibre or rod end of the said group is positioned to correspond to one or more pixels (9) at the surface face of the matrix display panel so as to receive light which passes through the transparent matrix display panel from the other side whenever the said pixel or pixels corresponding to the said fibre or rod is inactive, and also conversely, so as to block the said light whenever the said pixel or pixels corresponding to the said fibre or rod is active.
Figure 5 illustrates such a group composed of 64 fibres which are positioned to correspond to an 8 x 8 pixel matrix on the transparent flat panel matrix display (LCD).
The fibres or rods within the said group are divided into sub-groups. Each sub-group is assigned to correspond to a single waveband or division on the visible light spectrum. ThiS narrow portion of the visible light spectrum hereinafter known as the spectral color is common to all of the fibres or rods within a given sub-group. In Figure 5, there are 8 sub-groups indicated by the horizontal rows of fibres. Three sub-groups are used in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6. The number of fibres or rods in a given sub-group for which the light has not been blocked by the matrix display panel and is allowed to pass, determines the maximum intensity of light for a given spectral color that can be transmitted to the diffuser-attenuator. In 1~ ~
Figures 5 and 6, each sub-group is comprised of 8 fibres or rods.
To adequately produce or reproduce quality color imagery using light, typically a minimum of three spectral colors are used. In a three spectral color configuration such as is illustrated in Figure 6, the system would assign each of three primary spectral colors (red, green and violet) to a sub-group of fibres or rods as described heretofore so that there are three sub-groups of fibres or rods in a single group and that each sub-group carries a single spectral color and that each group transmits a composition containing at least one of the three spectral colors to a single pixel on the viewing screen via the diffuser-attenuator.
The current invention does not place a limit on the number of sub-groups which can be configured, therefore any practical number of spectral colors can be utilized. Neither does it limit the number of fibres or rods contained in a sub-group, thereby ailowing any practical number of increment graduations in controlling the intensity of a given spectral color. In addition, no limit is placed on the number of flat panel matrix displays which can be used in the system, so that a viewing screen may contain as many pixels as is required based on the intended use of the system.
Each flat panel matrix display is controlled by means of a digital processor based display controller such as a computer or -- 211~212 game machine (14), or by any other display controller such as a TV, VTR or VCR, whereby the digital source data has been encoded to provide the matrix display panel with the pixel information required (on/off) to produce or reproduce a composite color for a given pixel on the viewing screen.
A source of white light (10) which has been decomposed to its' elemental frequencies (11) (spectral color) through use of either filters, collimators (12) and prisms (13), diffraction gratings or even reflections from pigmented surfaces, is positioned behind the transparent flat panel matrix display or reflected to the back of said flat panel matrix display so that each of the said elemental frequencies (spectral colors) illuminates directly to, and if the matrix is inactive, through the flat panel matrix display at an angle of incidence which is as close to zero as possible, and on that portion of the said flat panel matrix display which corresponds to the positions of the fibres that are situated on the other side which have been sub-grouped and assigned to that particular elemental frequency (spectral color).
The present invention is a high resolution luminous color display system which utilizes natural visible white light. The light source is divided into its' component spectral colors and selected by means of transparent flat panel matrix displays such as LCD' s which act as light filters and optical fibres or rods which act as conductors. The system output is controlled by the flat panel matrix displays which are externally driven by means of one or more digital processors or by other means such as TV's, VTR's, VCR's and even video cameras provided the signals are first processed and encoded to conform to the format specifications required by this system. The viewing surface is composed of optical fibre or rod ends which act as pixels to deliver the selected spectral light composition output.
PRIOR ART
There are two essential elements involved in producing quality images on a luminous display: Definition and color. Definition is determined by the relative size and number of distinct picture elements (pixels) on a display. Color involves the number of colors which are available per pixel and of course, the quality or richness of that color which essentially involves hue, saturation and brightness.
The most commonly used color display at the present time is the cathode ray tube (CRT). A more recent development in color display technology is the flat panel matrix display or liquid crystal display which is quickly gaining in stature primarily as a result of it's low energy consumption as well as its' inherent simplicity and profile which make it lighter and more portable than the CRT display.
Firstly, because both of the aforementionned displays are essentially closed systems, as opposed to being expandable, and since the manufacturing processes involved in producing these systems impose restrictions on their sizes, they are of themselves self-limiting in terms of size.
Also, because of the way in which they function, there are limitations imposed on their configurations. An oval shaped display would for example, present some problems involving image distortion.
The definition deficiencies associated with conventional displays are well known. They are most apparent on large dimensioned displays which are intended to be viewed at a distance. Up close, the pixels are quite evident and the outlines of objects on the display tend to be jagged. These deficiencies are responsible for relegating conventional displays to second place behind the photographic and film imaging technologies in terms of image quality. The limitations imposed by inadequate definition limits the applications for which the displays can be used.
Virtual Reality systems require higher levels of realism and more flexibility in terms of configuration and size of the displays.
As well, Virtual Reality displays should provide full vison periphery images. That is, images for which the borders are outside the human scope of vision. Large displays which can be viewed from any distance will also be required.
Another important limiting factor in acheiving higher definitions which will not be avoided by the proposed high definition stAn~Ard of HDTV is that three separate sub-pixels are required to produce one colored pixel. Red, green and blue are typically assigned to separate screen locations effectively limiting picture definition by two thirds.
Currently, high resolution CRT graphic display terminals offer a choice of resolutions whereby the total number of colors available is reduced as resolution is increased and the resolution is decreased as the number of colors is increased.
211~212 This relation between color and resolution is tied to the capabilities of the processor itself (speed and number of bits).
Color quality is also subject to limitations. for the CRT, these relate to the phosphor compounds which are used to create the primary colors. The primary colors for light are red, green and violet. Only the purest of primary light colors will reproduce true color. Using light color as perceived by our sense of sight in nature as a benchmark for measuring light color quality in a visual display, it becomes clear that we can see the difference between reality and what technology has so far chosen as a standard for reproducing that same reality.
21i3~12 SU~IARY OF THE INVENTION
Virtual Reality applications now under development will challenge our current visual display technologies. The object of the present invention is to provide a visual display that overcomes the limitations of current visual display technologies. By using white light to produce color at the source, the system aims to improve the quality of light color. In addition, the use of flat panel matrix displays as filters which regulate the selection and intensity of colored light is conceptually simple. As such, it allows for a simple and direct digital interface between the spectral light selection control and the light output. It also allows the visual display to maintain a very high definition while featuring an unprecedented number of colors without flicker and contrast difficulties, easily and consistently. The use of monochrome LCD's which are faster than color LCD's, to control color is a concept which lends itself to the digital nature of today's video graphics.
Given that color is produced by one or more wavelengths or frequencies of light and that the intensity or amount of light for each wavelength or frequency in a given light composition is a determinant factor in the resultant color, a light diffuser-attenuator receives its' light input from a group consisting of a number of optical fibres or rods, the number of which is determined in accordance with the following considerations: The said group of fibres or rods is divided into sub-groups so that each sub-group carries a single common spectral frequency. The 211321~
number of sub-groups equals the number of spectral base colors to be utilized by the system. The number of fibres or rods in a sub-group determines the level of light intensity control available for the particular spectral frequency. The positioning of the fibres or rods on the matrix surface is effected in such a way as to allow a selection to be made along two dimensional axis' (x and y). The fibres of each sub-group are lined up along one axis so that a selection along that axis serves to add units of light intensity for the proprietary spectral frequency. The sub-groups are positioned along the opposite axis so that a selection along that axis represents a selection of the base spectral colors to be included in the mix.
In determining the optimal configuration, it is necessary to understand that it may be preferable to maximize the number of sub-groups in order to increase the number of possible light color compositions as opposed to using a minimum number of sub-groups as would be done in a system which aims to utilize the three primary light colors. The reason for this is that the selection of color and intensity is based on the binary output of the controlling device so that a single bit controls a single fibre or rod. As such, the number of spectral colors or sub-groups, when used as an exponent by which a base 2 is raised in accordance with Boolean mathematics, will yield a higher number of possibilities when it is highest. The intensity fibres on the other hand are merely additive. i.e. if two intensity fibres are selected, it matters little which two are chosen.
.
A short table has been prepared showing various configurations of spectral colors and intensities for four and six fibre groups, and the resultant numbers of possible compositions:
TOTAL NUMBER NUMBER OF NUMBER OF TOTAL NUMBER
OF FIBRES IN SUB-GROUPS FIBRES PER OF POSSIBLE
A GROUP (SPECTRAL SUB-GROUP RESULTANT
FREQUENCIES) (INTENSITIES) COMPOSITIONS
It is of course also important to assign enough intensity control units to provide a sufficient degree of contrast. A balance between spectral light intensities and number of colors must be established.
To calculate and arrive at an approximation of the total number of colors available for each pixel on the viewing screen in a symmetrical configuration where the number of sub-groups is equal to the number of intensities, the base 2 is raised to the exponent equal to the total number of fibres in a group and the result is divided by two. The actual number of colors available should be slightly larger than this last number. A 36 fibre group for example, configured in a 6 X 6 fibre or rod arrangement would yield in excess of 34 billion possible colors to the viewing surface.
211321~
The following Table shows the relation between the total number of fibres included along the spectral color selection axis (equal to the number of sub-groups) and the resultant maximum number of colors made available to each pixel on the viewing display. It should be noted that the same data may be used to determine the number of colors made available to the viewing display in a system configuration where the number of sub-groups equals the number of intensities. In the later case, the number of fibres would be the total number of fibres in a group and the resultant number of colors would be approximately half the number shown.
NUMBER OF NUMBER OF
FIBRES/RODSRESULTANT COLORS
~.
211~21~
HIGH RESOLUTION LUMINOUS COLOR MATRIX DISPLAY SYSTEM
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a front elevation partly in section of one embodiment.
Figure 2 is a plan view partly in section of the viewing display portion of another embodiment utilizing a stereoscopic display.
Figure 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the embodiment which illustrates the principles of the embodiment starting at the light source and ending at the display surface.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of an enlargement taken from line III-III of Figure 3 which illustrates the assembly and embodiment of two component parts of the display.
Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of an enlargement of a portion of two embodiments taken from line V-V of Figure 3.
Figure 7 is a sectional view of the diffuser-attenuator.
Figure 8 is a perspective view partly in section of an embodiment of the invention where the diffuser-attenuator functions are accomplished through direct interface of the fibres or rods.
A high resolution luminous color display system incorporating a viewing display (1). The viewing display being comprised of a number of optical fibres or rods (2) having their light output ends (3) as the pixels on the viewing display and being sleeve clad (4) and fitted into the openings of a tightly formed, honeycomb shaped rigid grid support (5) which serves to hold each fibre or rod end so that each is adjacent to the next one on six q, 211~212 sides and to also guide their positioning through the viewing plane and within an established range in the direction indicated by their longitudinal axis.
The other end of these same fibres, being the light input end, is coupled to an adjustable light attenuator of known properties and a light diffuser of known properties, hereinafter referred to as the diffuser-attenuator (6). The diffuser-attenuator serves in the first instance to combine the light output of a multiplicity of individual light sources provided by a group of optical fibres or rods (7), each carrying a proprietary light frequency in the visible spectrum (color), and in the second instance, serving as an adjustable global limiter of the combined light power to the single viewing pixel fibre (2).
Figure 7 illustrates the functions of the diffuser-attenuator (6). The light output of the said group of fibres or rods (7) enters an air space (15) of calculated dimension which serves to attenuate the light power before it proceeds to enter the substance of the diffuser (16). Increasing the dimensions of the air space by increasing the distance between the ends of the fibres or rods and the substance of the diffuser decreases light power which is lost by diffraction through the lateral sides (17) of the confines of the air space. Thus the intensity of the light entering the diffuser is reduced.
The diffuser is a solid core of transparent substance having an 1~ -21i3212 index of refraction similar to that of the single viewing pixel fibre (2), funnel shaped so that most of the light (14) moving through the diffuser will collide with the sides of the diffuser at a maximum angle of incidence and be reflected back towards the core of the diffuser. ThiS effectively traps the light and minimizes the loss of light power from the diffuser as well as mixes or recombines the spectral frequencies before it enters the single viewing pixel fibre or rod to which the diffuser is connected.
Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the diffuser-attenuator functions are effected via a more direct interface between the said group of fibres or rods and the single viewing pixel fibre or rod.
The embodiment shown in Figure 8 requires that the combined diameters of the fibres or rods in the said group (7) of fibres or rods is less than or equal to the diameter of the single viewing pixel fibre or rod (2) so that the light transfer from the said group to the single unit is accomplished by positioning the ends of the fibres or rods of the said group directly facing the single viewing pixel fibre or rod end. A sleeve (17) binding both conduits permits that an air space exist between the facing ends thus allowing a set level of attenuation of light power.
The diffusion and combining of the spectral frequencies occurs within the substance of the single viewing pixel fibre or rod.
I/
211~212 The group of fibres or rods (7) which supplies each diffuser-attenuator is, at the input end, strategically positioned to the face of a transparent flat panel matrix display such as a monochrome liquid crystal display (8J. Each fibre or rod end of the said group is positioned to correspond to one or more pixels (9) at the surface face of the matrix display panel so as to receive light which passes through the transparent matrix display panel from the other side whenever the said pixel or pixels corresponding to the said fibre or rod is inactive, and also conversely, so as to block the said light whenever the said pixel or pixels corresponding to the said fibre or rod is active.
Figure 5 illustrates such a group composed of 64 fibres which are positioned to correspond to an 8 x 8 pixel matrix on the transparent flat panel matrix display (LCD).
The fibres or rods within the said group are divided into sub-groups. Each sub-group is assigned to correspond to a single waveband or division on the visible light spectrum. ThiS narrow portion of the visible light spectrum hereinafter known as the spectral color is common to all of the fibres or rods within a given sub-group. In Figure 5, there are 8 sub-groups indicated by the horizontal rows of fibres. Three sub-groups are used in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6. The number of fibres or rods in a given sub-group for which the light has not been blocked by the matrix display panel and is allowed to pass, determines the maximum intensity of light for a given spectral color that can be transmitted to the diffuser-attenuator. In 1~ ~
Figures 5 and 6, each sub-group is comprised of 8 fibres or rods.
To adequately produce or reproduce quality color imagery using light, typically a minimum of three spectral colors are used. In a three spectral color configuration such as is illustrated in Figure 6, the system would assign each of three primary spectral colors (red, green and violet) to a sub-group of fibres or rods as described heretofore so that there are three sub-groups of fibres or rods in a single group and that each sub-group carries a single spectral color and that each group transmits a composition containing at least one of the three spectral colors to a single pixel on the viewing screen via the diffuser-attenuator.
The current invention does not place a limit on the number of sub-groups which can be configured, therefore any practical number of spectral colors can be utilized. Neither does it limit the number of fibres or rods contained in a sub-group, thereby ailowing any practical number of increment graduations in controlling the intensity of a given spectral color. In addition, no limit is placed on the number of flat panel matrix displays which can be used in the system, so that a viewing screen may contain as many pixels as is required based on the intended use of the system.
Each flat panel matrix display is controlled by means of a digital processor based display controller such as a computer or -- 211~212 game machine (14), or by any other display controller such as a TV, VTR or VCR, whereby the digital source data has been encoded to provide the matrix display panel with the pixel information required (on/off) to produce or reproduce a composite color for a given pixel on the viewing screen.
A source of white light (10) which has been decomposed to its' elemental frequencies (11) (spectral color) through use of either filters, collimators (12) and prisms (13), diffraction gratings or even reflections from pigmented surfaces, is positioned behind the transparent flat panel matrix display or reflected to the back of said flat panel matrix display so that each of the said elemental frequencies (spectral colors) illuminates directly to, and if the matrix is inactive, through the flat panel matrix display at an angle of incidence which is as close to zero as possible, and on that portion of the said flat panel matrix display which corresponds to the positions of the fibres that are situated on the other side which have been sub-grouped and assigned to that particular elemental frequency (spectral color).
Claims (3)
1. A high resolution luminous color display system incorporating a viewing display. The viewing display being comprised of a number of optical fibres or rods having their light output ends as the pixels on the viewing display and being sleeve clad and fitted into the openings of a tightly formed, honeycomb shaped rigid grid support which serves to hold each fibre or rod end so that each is adjacent to the next one on six sides and to also guide their positioning through the viewing plane and within an established range in the direction indicated by their longitudinal axis.
The other end of these same fibres, being the light input end, is coupled to an adjustable light attenuator of known properties and a light diffuser of known properties, hereinafter referred to as the diffuser-attenuator. The diffuser-attenuator serves in the first instance to combine the light output of a multiplicity of individual light sources provided by a group of optical fibres or rods, each carrying a proprietary light frequency in the visible spectrum (color), and in the second instance, serving as an adjustable global limiter of the combined light power to the single viewing pixel fiber.
The light output of the said group of fibres or rods enters an air space of calculated dimension which serves to attenuate the light power before it proceeds to enter the substance of the diffuser. Increasing the dimensions of the air space by increasing the distance between the ends of the fibres or rods and the substance of the diffuser decreases light power which is lost by diffraction through the lateral sides of the confines of the air space. Thus the intensity of the light entering the diffuser is reduced.
The diffuser is a solid core of transparent substance having an index of refraction similar to that of the single viewing pixel fibre, funnel shaped so that most of the light moving through the diffuser will collide with the sides of the diffuser at a maximum angle of incidence and be reflected back towards the core of the diffuser. This effectively traps the light and minimizes the loss of light power from the diffuser as well as mixes or recombines the spectral frequencies of the light before it enters the single viewing pixel fibre or rod to which the diffuser is connected.
The group of fibres or rods which supplies each diffuser-attenuator is, at the input end, strategically positioned to the face of a transparent flat panel matrix display such as a monochrome liquid crystal display. Each fibre or rod end of the said group is positioned to correspond to one or more pixels at the surface face of the matrix display panel so as to receive light which passes through the transparent matrix display panel from the other side whenever the said pixel or pixels corresponding to the said fibre or rod is inactive, and also conversely, so as to block the said light whenever the said pixel or pixels corresponding to the said fibre or rod is active.
Each flat panel matrix display is controlled by means of a digital processor based display controller such as a computer or game machine, or by any other display controller such as a TV, VTR or VCR, whereby the digital source data has been encoded to provide the matrix display panel with the pixel color information required (on/off) to produce or reproduce a composite color for a given pixel on the viewing screen.
A source of white light which has been decomposed to its' elemental frequencies (spectral color) through use of either filters, collimators and prisms, diffraction gratings or even reflections from pigmented surfaces, is positioned behind the transparent flat panel matrix display or reflected to the back of said flat panel matrix display so that each of the said elemental frequencies (spectral colors) illuminates directly to, and if the matrix is inactive, through the flat panel matrix display at an angle of incidence which is as close to zero as possible, and on that portion of the said flat panel matrix display which corresponds to the positions of the fibres that are situated on the other side which have been sub-grouped and assigned to that particular elemental frequency (spectral color).
The other end of these same fibres, being the light input end, is coupled to an adjustable light attenuator of known properties and a light diffuser of known properties, hereinafter referred to as the diffuser-attenuator. The diffuser-attenuator serves in the first instance to combine the light output of a multiplicity of individual light sources provided by a group of optical fibres or rods, each carrying a proprietary light frequency in the visible spectrum (color), and in the second instance, serving as an adjustable global limiter of the combined light power to the single viewing pixel fiber.
The light output of the said group of fibres or rods enters an air space of calculated dimension which serves to attenuate the light power before it proceeds to enter the substance of the diffuser. Increasing the dimensions of the air space by increasing the distance between the ends of the fibres or rods and the substance of the diffuser decreases light power which is lost by diffraction through the lateral sides of the confines of the air space. Thus the intensity of the light entering the diffuser is reduced.
The diffuser is a solid core of transparent substance having an index of refraction similar to that of the single viewing pixel fibre, funnel shaped so that most of the light moving through the diffuser will collide with the sides of the diffuser at a maximum angle of incidence and be reflected back towards the core of the diffuser. This effectively traps the light and minimizes the loss of light power from the diffuser as well as mixes or recombines the spectral frequencies of the light before it enters the single viewing pixel fibre or rod to which the diffuser is connected.
The group of fibres or rods which supplies each diffuser-attenuator is, at the input end, strategically positioned to the face of a transparent flat panel matrix display such as a monochrome liquid crystal display. Each fibre or rod end of the said group is positioned to correspond to one or more pixels at the surface face of the matrix display panel so as to receive light which passes through the transparent matrix display panel from the other side whenever the said pixel or pixels corresponding to the said fibre or rod is inactive, and also conversely, so as to block the said light whenever the said pixel or pixels corresponding to the said fibre or rod is active.
Each flat panel matrix display is controlled by means of a digital processor based display controller such as a computer or game machine, or by any other display controller such as a TV, VTR or VCR, whereby the digital source data has been encoded to provide the matrix display panel with the pixel color information required (on/off) to produce or reproduce a composite color for a given pixel on the viewing screen.
A source of white light which has been decomposed to its' elemental frequencies (spectral color) through use of either filters, collimators and prisms, diffraction gratings or even reflections from pigmented surfaces, is positioned behind the transparent flat panel matrix display or reflected to the back of said flat panel matrix display so that each of the said elemental frequencies (spectral colors) illuminates directly to, and if the matrix is inactive, through the flat panel matrix display at an angle of incidence which is as close to zero as possible, and on that portion of the said flat panel matrix display which corresponds to the positions of the fibres that are situated on the other side which have been sub-grouped and assigned to that particular elemental frequency (spectral color).
2. A high resolution luminous color display system as defined in Claim 1, in which stereoscopic viewing displays are employed.
3. A high resolution luminous color display system as defined in Claim 1, in which the diffuser-attenuator functions are effected via a more direct interface between the said group of fibre or rod ends and the single viewing display pixel fibre or rod end. The embodiment requires that the combined diameters of the fibres or rods in the said group is less than or equal to the diameter of the single viewing display pixel fibre or rod so that the light transfer from the group to the single unit is accomplished by positioning the ends of the fibres or rods of the group directly facing the single fibre or rod end. A sleeve binding both conduits permits that an air space exist between the facing ends thus allowing a set level of attenuation of light power. The diffusion and combining of the spectral frequencies occurs within the substance of the single viewing pixel fibre or rod.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002113212A CA2113212A1 (en) | 1994-01-11 | 1994-01-11 | High resolution luminous color matrix display system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002113212A CA2113212A1 (en) | 1994-01-11 | 1994-01-11 | High resolution luminous color matrix display system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2113212A1 true CA2113212A1 (en) | 1995-07-12 |
Family
ID=4152722
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002113212A Abandoned CA2113212A1 (en) | 1994-01-11 | 1994-01-11 | High resolution luminous color matrix display system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2113212A1 (en) |
-
1994
- 1994-01-11 CA CA002113212A patent/CA2113212A1/en not_active Abandoned
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |