Display device for displaying at least one image, method for manufacturing a display device and method for operating a display device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display device (100) for displaying at least one image, wherein the display device (100) has a self-emitting display unit (120) for outputting a light beam (130), the light beam (130) comprising at least two sub-beams (125; 305) having different wavelengths; and has a scattering layer (115) arranged adjacent to the display unit (120) having a structured scattering surface (135) for scattering a first sub-beam of the sub-beams (125; 305) in a direction different from that of the second sub-beam of the sub-beams (125; 305).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a display device for displaying at least one image, a method for manufacturing the display device, and a method for operating the display device. A computer program is also the subject of this invention. Background Technology

[0002] Displays are increasingly used in modern vehicles. While LCD technology has been the primary method until now, OLED is becoming more prevalent, and other self-emissive display technologies will certainly be used in the future. Such displays enable vehicle functions to inform the driver. Especially with highly automated driving, displays are becoming increasingly important. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Against this backdrop, the present invention provides an improved display device for displaying at least one image, an improved method for manufacturing the display device, and an improved method for operating the display device, as well as a control device using at least one of these methods, and finally, a corresponding computer program. Advantageous extensions and improvements to the described device can be achieved through the measures listed in the preferred embodiments.

[0004] The scheme presented herein provides a feasible approach to improve the image quality of a display device by reducing color shift effects. This also allows the viewer to perceive the image colors as realistic across different viewing angles.

[0005] A display device for displaying at least one image is described. The display device has a self-emitting display unit for outputting a light beam and a scattering layer with a structured scattering surface arranged adjacent to the display unit. The light beam comprises at least two sub-beams having different wavelengths, and the scattering surface is used to scatter a first sub-beam in a direction different from that of a second sub-beam. The scattering surface is disposed on the side of the scattering layer facing the display unit, wherein the display unit has two electrodes, and an optical cavity with a predetermined optical path length is formed in the space between these electrodes.

[0006] The display device can be implemented, for example, as a display screen, which can be used in vehicles. Alternatively, the display device can also be connected to other areas, such as home entertainment electronics or mobile phones. The display unit can be implemented, for example, as a display, which includes multiple light sources. The scattering layer can be formed, for example, as a flexibly formed layer, a thin film, or, for example, as a rigid plate. The structured scattering surface can be formed, for example, as a rough surface of the scattering layer, or alternatively, it can include particles that provide the structure. By using sub-beams that are scattered differently, for example, with different wavelengths, it is advantageous to image the image to be displayed in different display areas with accurate colors, i.e., without color shift.

[0007] In one embodiment, the scattering surface can be arranged toward the display unit, particularly wherein the display unit and the scattering surface can be in contact. Advantageously, the scattering layer is applied to the display unit such that the scattering surface contacts the display unit.

[0008] The display unit can be configured to output a light beam as an RGB light or red-green-blue light beam. This light beam can have different wavelengths, corresponding to red, blue, and green (RGB) light. Advantageously, the image can thus be displayed in color.

[0009] In one embodiment, the scattering layer can be formed as a transparent glass or plastic layer, and particularly, it can be formed as an anti-glare layer. Advantageously, color shift can be avoided through this scattering layer, thereby improving image quality.

[0010] Furthermore, the scattering surface can have an irregular structure. Through this irregular structure, the scattering surface can be shaped into a rough surface. In addition, the sub-beams of the beam can thus be advantageously reflected in different directions according to the incident angle and refracted and transmitted as supplementary or alternative solutions.

[0011] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the scattering layer can have a radiating surface facing away from the display unit, which is configured to radiate sub-beams of the light beam scattered on the scattering surface into different display areas. This radiating surface can, for example, be formed on the side of the scattering layer opposite to the scattering surface. Different display areas can, for example, correspond to different viewing angles, in which images can be advantageously displayed without color shift.

[0012] In one embodiment, the display unit can have an OLED light source, and as a supplementary or alternative solution, a quantum dot light source, and as a supplementary or alternative solution, a microLED light source. Advantageously, the display unit can be implemented at a low cost by using such light sources.

[0013] Furthermore, the display unit can have multiple separately operable light sources, especially wherein the light beams emitted by these light sources can differ in wavelength. The multiple light sources can be arranged such that the display unit is, for example, angular or, alternatively, rounded, and can display finely granular image content.

[0014] Furthermore, a method for manufacturing a display device in the aforementioned variant is introduced, wherein the method includes the steps of providing a self-emitting display unit for outputting a light beam and a scattering layer having a structured scattering surface arranged adjacent to the display unit, wherein the light beam includes at least two sub-beams having different wavelengths, and the scattering surface is used to scatter a first sub-beam of the sub-beams in a direction different from that of a second sub-beam of the sub-beams. Furthermore, the method includes the step of bonding the display unit and the scattering layer together for manufacturing the display device.

[0015] This method enables the advantageous manufacture of a display device, which may be implemented, for example, in a vehicle.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the structure can be incorporated into the scattering surface, particularly by means of an etching process, during this providing step. Advantageously, the choice of etching process can, for example, reduce manufacturing costs.

[0017] Furthermore, a method for operating a display device in the aforementioned variant is provided, wherein the method includes the step of manipulating the display unit to output a beam having two sub-beams with different wavelengths, wherein the structured scattering surface scatters the first sub-beam of the sub-beam in a direction different from that of the second sub-beam of the sub-beam.

[0018] Advantageously, this method can be implemented inside a vehicle or device that has such a display device.

[0019] This method can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware, or in a hybrid form consisting of software and hardware, such as in a control device.

[0020] Furthermore, the solution described herein provides a control device configured to implement, manipulate, or realize the steps of variations of the method described herein within a corresponding apparatus. This embodiment of the invention, in the form of a control device, also enables the rapid and efficient resolution of the invention's objectives.

[0021] Therefore, the control device can have at least one computing unit for processing signals or data, at least one storage unit for storing signals or data, at least one interface relative to the sensor or actuator for reading sensor signals from a sensor or for outputting control signals to an actuator, and / or at least one communication interface for reading or outputting data embedded in a communication protocol. The computing unit can be, for example, a signal processor, a microcontroller, etc., and the storage unit can be a flash drive, EEPROM, or magnetic storage unit. The communication interface can be configured for wireless and / or wired data reading or output, wherein the communication interface capable of reading or outputting wired data can, for example, read such data from or output it to a corresponding data transmission line in an electrical or optical manner.

[0022] Here, the control device can refer to an electrical device that processes sensor signals and outputs control signals and / or data signals accordingly. The control device can have an interface that can be constructed in hardware and / or software. In a hardware construction, the interface can, for example, be part of a so-called system ASIC, which contains various functions of the control device. However, it is also possible that the interface is its own integrated circuit or at least partially composed of discrete structural components. In a software construction, the interface can be a software module, which, among other software modules, may also exist on a microcontroller.

[0023] It is also advantageous to have a computer program product or computer program having program code that can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium, such as semiconductor memory, hard disk memory or optical memory, and especially when the program product or program is executed on a computer or device, for implementing, carrying out and / or manipulating the steps of the method according to one of the foregoing embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Embodiments of the scheme described herein are shown in the accompanying drawings and are explained in detail in the following description.

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic side view of a display device according to one embodiment is shown;

[0026] Figure 2A schematic diagram of one embodiment of a display unit having two electrodes and an optical cavity is shown;

[0027] Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the display device is shown;

[0028] Figure 4 A flowchart is shown for a method of manufacturing a display device according to one embodiment;

[0029] Figure 5 A block diagram of a control device according to one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a display device is shown;

[0030] Figure 6 A flowchart of a method for operating a display device according to one embodiment is shown; and

[0031] Figure 7 A block diagram of a control device according to one embodiment of a method for operating a display device is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0032] In the following description of advantageous embodiments of the invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for elements shown in different figures and that serve similar functions, wherein repeated descriptions of these elements are omitted.

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic side view of a display device 100 according to one embodiment is shown. The display device 100 is shown differently in a first region 105 than in a region 110 on the right. The first region 105 shows the display device 100 without a scattering layer 115, meaning only display units 120 are shown, which are implemented, for example, as displays. In this first region 105, a plurality of sub-beams 125 (not shown here) of a light beam radiating radially from a single point are shown. The second region 110 shows the display device 100 as will be described in detail below.

[0034] Here, the display device 100 is configured to display at least one image. This display device, for example, can be implemented in a vehicle and has a self-emitting display unit 120 for outputting a light beam 130, which includes at least two sub-beams 125 having different wavelengths. The display device also has a scattering layer 115 arranged adjacent to the display unit 120, having a structured scattering surface 135 for scattering a first sub-beam of the sub-beams 125 in a direction different from that of the second sub-beam of the sub-beams 125. According to this embodiment, the display unit 120 is configured to output a light beam 130 as a red-blue-green light (RBG) beam to display, for example, an image to be displayed in color. To output this light, according to this embodiment, the display unit 120 includes at least one OLED light source and / or a quantum dot (QD) light source and / or a micro-LED light source. More specifically, the display unit 120 according to this embodiment has multiple light sources. Here, the light beams emitted by these light sources differ in wavelength.

[0035] Alternatively, the scattering surface 135 may be arranged toward the display unit 120, such that the display unit 120 and the scattering surface 135 are in contact. According to this embodiment, the scattering surface 135 is shaped as a structured surface or, for example, a rough surface of the diffuser glass 115. This means that, according to this embodiment, the scattering surface 135 has an irregular structure, as detailed in one of the following figures. According to this embodiment, the scattering layer 115 further has a radiating surface 140 facing away from the display unit 120, which is configured to radiate sub-beams 125 of the beam 130 scattered on the scattering surface 135 into different display areas, as shown in one of the following figures. The scattering layer 115 may be shaped, for example, as a transparent glass layer or as a plastic layer, which may also be shaped, for example, as an anti-glare layer (AG).

[0036] In other words, a feasible solution is proposed for compensating for viewing angle-dependent color shifts in self-emitting display technology. According to this embodiment, the display device 100 is configured as a self-emitting display because it has, for example, at least one OLED light source and / or a quantum dot light source and / or a micro-LED light source. OLEDs differ structurally from LCDs. In particular, OLEDs are typically current-driven.

[0037] For example, a self-emitting display, referred to herein as display unit 120 and having an optical cavity between electrodes, exhibits severe color shift within the viewing angle due to its inherent properties. If a cover layer (referred herein to as scattering layer 115 and implemented, for example, as a cover glass with a rough surface) is now placed onto this display device 100, which can be called a display system, compensation for the color shift can be achieved. Therefore, in Figure 1According to this embodiment, the color radiation characteristics of the OLED are shown in the first region 105, while a schematic diagram of the implementation of the scattering layer 115 for reducing color shift within the viewing angle range is shown in the second region 110.

[0038] According to this embodiment, exemplary color features within the viewing angle range are shown in the first region 105. At a vertical viewing angle, the white image appears white, but at higher viewing angles, a color shift towards a slightly bluish or reddish hue occurs. This should be attributed to an optical cavity as shown in one of the following figures.

[0039] As shown in the second region 110, the scattering layer 115 is applied to the display unit 120 using a roughened AG layer, which is obtained, for example, by etching and, in this embodiment, is referred to as the scattering surface 135. The roughened side, i.e., the scattering surface 135, faces the display unit 120. Sub-beams 125 exiting the display unit 120 are scattered on the scattering surface 135. Different color components exiting the display unit 120 at specific angles are scattered in corresponding directions according to the law of refraction through the random surface structure of the scattering surface 135. Thus, statistically speaking, a mixture of colors is produced, and thereby, for the observer, a central original color is produced, which, in this embodiment, represents white. Alternatively, this method can also be used for other situations where color shifts occur within the viewing angle range.

[0040] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of a display unit 120 having two electrodes 200 and an optical cavity 205 is shown. Here, the electrodes 200 are arranged, or can be arranged, within the display unit 120, as in... Figure 1 As described herein. This means that the display unit 120 shown here corresponds, for example, to an OLED light source. The display unit 120 shown here merely illustrates the working principle of the display unit 120. Here, the electrodes 200 are arranged such that the optical cavity 205 according to this embodiment is arranged between the electrodes 200. According to this embodiment, two sub-beams 125 with different wavelengths have radiated in different directions inside the display unit 120. Without as in Figure 1 In the case of a scattering layer shown and described in the second region of the display device 100, the sub-beam 125 will, as in Figure 1 The first region radiates in the same way, thus promoting color shift.

[0041] Here, self-emitting organic material is arranged between the anode and cathode. The space between these electrodes 200 forms an optical cavity 205 with a pre-defined optical path length. This results in a variation in the optical path length within the viewing angle. Depending on the direction, this optical path length corresponds to a multiple of a specific wavelength that is preferably emitted therefrom, while light or sub-beams 125 of other wavelengths are attenuated. For this reason, there is a strong color variation within the viewing angle. If, for example, white light composed of the radiated light of red, green, and blue sub-pixels is emitted, it appears as white light along the vertical direction. However, under a specific viewing direction, the color shifts, for example, to a slightly bluish or slightly reddish hue. According to this embodiment, this should be attributed to the fact that the spacing between the electrodes 200, or for example, the thickness of the electrodes 200, is optimized for the vertical case to avoid a color shift to green, since green is in the center of the visible spectrum and the human eye is particularly sensitive to green light. Such a color shift has a negative impact on image quality for the end user, so countermeasures are important.

[0042] Therefore, the scheme described here reduces this color shift within the viewing angle range and thereby improves the visual display of image content, especially through natural color display.

[0043] Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a display device 100 is shown. The display device 100 shown herein corresponds to or is similar to at least one embodiment of a display device 100. Figure 1 The display device 100 is shown in the second region of the image. According to this embodiment, the display device 100 also has a display unit 120 and a scattering layer 115, the display unit being at least similar to... Figure 2 The display device is depicted in the figure. According to this embodiment, the display device 100 is shown only in enlarged form, thus showing the structure 300 of the scattering surface 135. Here, the structure 300 has at least approximately gradually tapering sharp angles, reminiscent of rolling mountains. Here, the structure 300 is irregularly shaped according to this embodiment, such that the sub-beams 125 of the beam 130 are scattered non-uniformly in different directions as, for example, transmitted and / or reflected sub-beams 305. Inside the display unit 120, the sub-beams 125 extend radially from point 315 toward the scattering surface 135. Thus, according to this embodiment, the image to be displayed is shown without color shift in a plurality of display areas 310, indicated here by means of arrows.

[0044] In other words, according to this embodiment, the scattering layer 115 works by mixing spectral components, namely the transmitted and / or reflected sub-beams 305, in order to compensate for color shifts within the viewing angle range.

[0045] Figure 4A flowchart is shown of a method 400 for manufacturing a display device according to one embodiment. This method 400, for example, manufactures... Figure 1 Or a display device as described in one of 3. Here, method 400 includes step 405 of providing a self-emitting display unit for outputting a light beam, the light beam comprising at least two sub-beams having different wavelengths. In step 405, a scattering layer having a structured scattering surface is further provided adjacent to the display unit, the scattering surface being used to scatter a first sub-beam of the sub-beam in a direction different from that of the second sub-beam of the sub-beam. Furthermore, method 400 includes step 410 of bonding the display unit and the scattering layer together for manufacturing the display device. According to this embodiment, in step 405, the structure is incorporated into the scattering surface, particularly by means of an etching process.

[0046] Figure 5 A block diagram of a control device 500 according to one embodiment for use in manufacturing a display device is shown. Here, the control device 500 is configured to perform or at least manipulate, as in... Figure 4 The method for manufacturing a display device is as described herein. The control device 500 includes a providing unit 505, which, for example, provides a self-emitting display unit for outputting a light beam by means of a providing signal 510, and provides a scattering layer with a structured scattering surface arranged adjacent to the display unit. The light beam includes at least two sub-beams with different wavelengths, and the scattering surface is used to scatter a first sub-beam in a direction different from the second sub-beam. Furthermore, the control device 500 includes a bonding unit 515, which is configured to, for example, cause bonding between the display unit and the scattering layer by means of a bonding signal 520, for manufacturing the display device.

[0047] Figure 6 A flowchart is shown of a method 600 for operating a display device according to one embodiment. This method 600 operates, for example, as in… Figure 1 Or a display device as described in one of 3. To this end, the method 600 includes the step 605 of manipulating the display unit to output a beam having two sub-beams having different wavelengths, wherein the structured scattering surface scatters the first sub-beam of the sub-beam in a direction different from that of the second sub-beam of the sub-beam.

[0048] Figure 7 A block diagram of a control device 700 according to one embodiment is shown for use in operating a display device. The control device 700, schematically illustrated herein, is configured to implement and / or operate as described in... Figure 6The method for operating the display device is as described in the figure. To this end, the control device 700 has a control unit 705, which is configured to, for example by means of a control signal 710, control the display unit 120 for outputting a beam having two sub-beams with different wavelengths, wherein the first sub-beam of the sub-beam is scattered by a structured scattering surface in a direction different from that of the second sub-beam of the sub-beam.

[0049] If an embodiment includes an "AND / OR" association between a first feature and a second feature, then this can be interpreted as follows: the embodiment, in one implementation, has both the first feature and the second feature, and in another implementation, has either only the first feature or only the second feature.

Claims

1. A display device (100) for displaying at least one image, wherein the display device (100) has the following characteristics: - A self-emitting display unit (120) for outputting a light beam (130), the light beam comprising at least two sub-beams (125; 305) with different wavelengths; and - A scattering layer (115) with a structured scattering surface (135) arranged adjacent to the display unit (120), the scattering surface being used to scatter the first sub-beam of the sub-beams (125; 305) in a direction different from the second sub-beam of the sub-beams (125; 305). The scattering surface (135) is disposed on the side of the scattering layer (115) facing the display unit (120). The display unit (120) has two electrodes (200), wherein an optical cavity (205) with a predetermined optical path length is formed in the space between these electrodes (200).

2. The display device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the display unit (120) and the scattering surface (135) are in contact.

3. The display device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display unit (120) is configured to output the light beam (130) as a beam of red-blue-green light.

4. The display device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the scattering layer (115) is formed as a transparent glass layer or a plastic layer.

5. The display device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the scattering surface (135) has an irregular structure (300).

6. The display device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the scattering layer (115) has a radiating surface (140) facing away from the display unit (120), the radiating surface being configured to radiate sub-beams (125, 305) of the beam (130) scattered on the scattering surface (135) into different display areas (310).

7. The display device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display unit (120) has an OLED light source and / or a quantum dot light source (QD) and / or a micro LED light source.

8. The display device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display unit (120) has a plurality of light sources that can be operated separately.

9. The display device (100) according to claim 8, wherein the light beams (130) emitted by the light source are different in terms of their wavelengths.

10. A method (400) for manufacturing a display device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the method (400) comprises the following steps: - Provides (405) a self-emitting display unit (120) for outputting a light beam (130), the light beam comprising at least two sub-beams (125; 305) with different wavelengths, and provides (405) a scattering layer (115) having a structured scattering surface (135) arranged adjacent to the display unit (120), the scattering surface being used to scatter a first sub-beam (125; 305) in a direction different from that of the second sub-beam (125; 305); and - The display unit (120) and the scattering layer (115) are joined together (410) for use in manufacturing the display device (100).

11. The method (400) of claim 10, wherein the structure (300) is added to the scattering surface (135) in the providing step (405).

12. A method (600) for operating a display device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the method (600) comprises the following steps: - Manipulate (605) the display unit (120) for outputting a beam (130) having two sub-beams (125; 305) with different wavelengths, wherein the structured scattering surface (135) scatters the first sub-beam (135) in a direction different from that of the second sub-beam (135).

13. A control device (500; 700) configured to perform the steps according to any one of claims 10 to 11 or 12 in a corresponding unit (505, 515; 705).

14. A computer program configured to: perform steps (405, 410, 605) of one of the methods (400; 600) according to any one of claims 10 to 11 or 12.

15. A machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to claim 14 is stored.

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