Methods for eliminating bright point emissions from liquid crystal microdisplays

摘要

Due to limitations in manufacturing technology, current liquid crystal microdisplays cannot be manufactured without pixel defects. Among other defects, pixels can fail in their transmissive state, yielding a bright spot in the image relayed to the display wearer. Experience with military night-vision devices has shown that bright image defects can be extremely objectionable, as they can be distracting or can be incorrectly identified as objects of interest, such as targets. Image intensifier tube manufacturers eliminate bright point emissions by burning the image tube phosphor with a laser, effectively turning the bright spot into a black spot, an image defect considered far less distracting. Unfortunately, formal methods for eliminating bright point defects in liquid crystal microdisplays have not been thoroughly investigated. Methods such as severing circuitry or blasting the liquid crystal display pixel with a laser should be ineffective or even create a larger bright defect, further aggravating the problem. Numerous methods that could be applied are known to have advantages and disadvantages. This paper will examine the use of pixel blocks and fiberoptics as possible methods for eliminating or minimizing the visibility of bright point emissions and their impact on the visibility of the micro liquid crystal display.