Can Fiber Optic Cables Create a Custom Shaped LCD Screen?

[kolleamm]

I want to create an uneven surface, and have its surface color change by controlling pixel colors on an LCD screen. My first thought is that creating an LCD screen that's anything beyond flat or curved would be impractical, so would it be possible to use fiber optic cables to redirect pixel light?

 

[Baluncore]

What do you mean by “an uneven surface”, and what are the dimensions of that surface? How steep is the relative slope of the surface? Are there overhangs?

Will the colour and brightness be the same over the whole surface or do you want graphical details “projected” onto the surface, and what pixel resolution do you require?

I guess an LED screen could be substituted for an LCD screen. Consider lighting an opaque surface from below using three colour LEDs.

You might be able to use a hexagonal extrusion or honeycomb to guide light from a flat screen to the uneven surface above. You might cut the uneven surface into the honeycomb before covering it with an opaque surface layer.

 

[kolleamm]

What do you mean by “an uneven surface”

Just a surface with vertical extrusions, no overhangs or really steep angles.

You might be able to use a hexagonal extrusion or honeycomb to guide light from a flat screen to the uneven surface above.

Do you mean to put the fiber optic cable in the honeycomb structure?

 

[Baluncore]

Do you mean to put the fiber optic cable in the honeycomb structure?

Not quite, I mean light will travel along the hexagonal channels if they are white or reflective. The pixel size is the hexagonal channel size.
Get a handfull of white drinking straws and place one end against a colour screen. You could fabricate the surface by placing straws cut of different lengths in a close packed grid hexagonal. Another possibility would be a bundle of glass tubes or rods.

There are too many pixels to dedicate an individual hand placed fibre to each pixel.

 

[kolleamm]

Not quite, I mean light will travel along the hexagonal channels if they are white or reflective. The pixel size is the hexagonal channel size.
Get a handfull of white drinking straws and place one end against a colour screen. You could fabricate the surface by placing straws cut of different lengths in a close packed grid hexagonal. Another possibility would be a bundle of glass tubes or rods.

There are too many pixels to dedicate an individual hand placed fibre to each pixel.

Interesting idea! Does it have to be hexagonal?

 

[Baluncore]

Does it have to be hexagonal?

No, round will do. The only requirement is that you pack them well to avoid gaps, which gives the hexagonal arrangement.
Here is an old experiment. Glue together toilet roll tubes to make a honeycomb, white, or painted white on the inside. Cover the outer face with tissue paper. Place it against a TV screen. Each tube guides the average light from the part of the screen it covers. Other cardboard, white PVC, or drinking straws also work. It is limited only by your imagination and the internal reflectivity of the tubes.