Car screen upgrade, light field screen technology successfully breaks the limitations of traditional electronic screens

Users' demand for car screens is growing day by day, and car infotainment systems are constantly being upgraded. Although it is currently developing towards large and multi-screen screens, traditional electronic screens have exposed three major problems: the screen image is highly disturbing to the driver, is susceptible to interference from natural light, and has a short viewing distance, causing eye fatigue. In response to these problems, vehicle light field screen technology was born. It breaks the limitations of traditional vehicle screens and can effectively prevent drivers from being disturbed. It also has the advantages of strong resistance to light interference and long viewing distance.

The core technology of vehicle-mounted light field screens is mainly reflected in three aspects: space optical system design, optical components and image processing algorithms. The space optical system is designed to achieve long-distance imaging and create the effect of zooming in and out. According to the principle of light field folding technology, when light is refracted or reflected, the viewing distance can be increased. Using this principle, the space optical system is designed with multiple reflections. The light starts from the image source screen, reaches the screen for the first time and is reflected to the high-precision curved mirror. The curved mirror then reflects the light, reaches the screen for the second time, and finally passes through the screen and reaches the human eye. This design can make the viewing distance reach about 3m, which can alleviate the problems of dry eyes, fatigue and astigmatism, and reduce the risk of myopia in children. Light field screens can also reduce disruption to drivers. Since what the user sees is a reflected virtual image, it means that only a person in an upright position can view the picture normally. If the viewing angle exceeds 20 degrees, the complete image cannot be seen.

In this system, optical components have a great impact on the picture. They are mainly composed of collimated image source screens, high-precision curved mirrors, transflective screens and polarizing film materials to ensure that the overall picture is clear and bright, the viewing experience is good, and the Strong anti-light interference ability. The collimated image source screen collimates and highlights the light, and controls the divergence angle of the light beam to reduce the impact of stray light. The reflectivity of a curved mirror is a key factor that affects the look and feel. Appropriate reflectivity can make the viewing distance farther, the image larger, and the viewing experience better. When light reaches the screen and polarizing film, the multiple protective layers of the polarizing film, such as anti-glare protective layer, anti-reflective outer protective layer and compensation inner protective layer, will eliminate halo and prevent glare.

Image processing algorithms are responsible for eliminating distortion and preventing image distortion. Since the optical system of the light field screen contains curved mirrors, the light cannot remain parallel during reflection, resulting in picture distortion. Therefore, the image processing algorithm performs distortion correction on each frame of image. When the image light is reflected by the curved screen, it offsets the distortion effect, and finally displays a flat picture.

The current automotive light field screens have greater advantages than traditional screens, but they are not yet mature and still need to be developed. The current light field screens placed in the seat back and headrest areas are not small enough to be easily configured in the car. They will also have a high negative impact on the safety of passengers in the event of a collision. The spatial optical system design of the light field screen and the reflectivity of the curved mirror have not yet reached optimal levels, and there is room for improvement in the viewing experience. In response to the above problems, automotive-grade holographic optical elements (mainly photosensitive films with lens functions) are being developed and will be used in light field screens in the future to reduce the size of the entire machine. At the same time, the design and experimentation of light field screens are still ongoing to facilitate technology upgrades.