Display area with transition layer

Abstract

A display area includes an optically transparent layer, a substrate, a plurality of light sources, and a transition layer between the optically transparent layer and the plurality of light sources. The transition layer includes: a layer of opaque material having at least one opening extending over a region between at least one of the plurality of light sources and the optically transparent layer; and a translucent material layer extending across a portion of the at least one opening and having at least one sub-opening extending over a sub-region between at least one of the plurality of light sources and the optically transparent layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application Serial No. 10-2022-0059828 filed on May 16, 2022, the contents of which are the basis of this application and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to a display region, and more particularly, to a display region having a transition layer. Background Art

[0004] Micro LED displays typically include an array of micro light emitting diodes (LEDs) that form individual pixel elements. Such displays may exhibit improved properties such as flexibility, power consumption, brightness, contrast, clarity, and reliability. Such displays may include an array of panels or tiles, wherein there are typically seams or gaps between adjacent panels or tiles. Such seams or gaps may be undesirably visible to an observer, particularly in the case of large-scale display applications. The use of a circular polarizer can minimize the visibility of the seams or gaps, but its relatively low optical transmittance may result in a loss of display brightness. Therefore, additional techniques are needed to minimize the visibility of seams or gaps in tiled micro LED displays while still providing acceptable display brightness. Summary of the invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] The present disclosure provides a display region, and more particularly, provides a display region having a transition layer.

[0007] Solution to the problem

[0008] Embodiments disclosed herein include a display area. The display area includes an optically transparent layer having a first major surface and an opposing second major surface. The display area also includes a substrate having a major surface facing the second major surface of the transparent layer. In addition, the display area includes a plurality of light sources positioned on the major surface of the substrate. The display area also includes a transition layer between the optically transparent layer and the plurality of light sources. The transition layer includes an opaque material layer having at least one opening extending over an area between at least one of the plurality of light sources and the optically transparent layer. The transition layer also includes a translucent material layer extending across a portion of the at least one opening and having at least one sub-opening extending over a sub-area between at least one of the plurality of light sources and the optically transparent layer.

[0009] Additional features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will be set forth in the following detailed description, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or learned by practicing the embodiments as described herein, including the following detailed description, claims, and accompanying drawings.

[0010] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description present embodiments, which are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and characteristics of the claimed embodiments. The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, are used to explain the principles and operation of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display area including a plurality of tiles according to an embodiment disclosed herein;

[0012] Figure 2 According to the embodiments disclosed in this article Figure 1 an enlarged view of a certain image block among a plurality of image blocks;

[0013] Figure 3 According to the embodiments disclosed in this article Figure 2 an enlarged view of an area 'A' of the tile including a plurality of pixels;

[0014] Figure 4 According to the embodiments disclosed in this article Figure 3 A magnified view of a pixel showing a plurality of chips and an opaque layer with openings;

[0015] Figure 5 According to the embodiments disclosed in this article Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the display area taken along line BB;

[0016] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A perspective view of a display area;

[0017] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a display region according to an embodiment disclosed herein; and

[0018] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A perspective view of the display area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. As far as possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the accompanying drawings to represent the same or similar parts. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in various different forms and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments set forth herein.

[0020] Ranges herein may be expressed as from "about" one particular value and / or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when a value is expressed, such as by using the antecedent "about," as an approximation, it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each range are significant both in relation to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0021] Directional terms used herein, such as up, down, right, left, front, back, top, bottom, are made with reference to the drawings only and are not intended to imply an absolute orientation.

[0022] Unless otherwise expressly stated, the methods set forth herein are not intended to be understood as requiring that the steps of the method be performed in a specific order, nor as requiring a particular orientation of the apparatus. Thus, in the absence of a method claim actually reciting the order in which the steps of the method claim are to be followed, or any apparatus claim actually reciting the order or orientation of individual components, or in the absence of another specific statement in the claim or description that the steps should be limited to a particular order, or in the absence of a specific order or orientation of components of the apparatus, it is by no means intended to infer an order or orientation in any respect. This applies to any possible non-explicit basis for expression, including: logical issues regarding the arrangement of steps, operational flow, order of components, or orientation of components; plain meaning from grammatical organization or punctuation; and the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.

[0023] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a" component includes aspects having two or more such components unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0024] As used herein, the term "transparent" refers to a material or layer having an optical transmittance of at least about 50 percent over a length of 500 millimeters in the visible region of the spectrum (approximately 420-750 nanometers).

[0025] As used herein, the term "opaque" refers to a material or layer that has an optical transmittance of less than about 5 percent over a length of 500 millimeters in the visible region of the spectrum (approximately 420-750 nanometers).

[0026] As used herein, the term "translucent" refers to a material having an optical transmittance of from about 5 percent to about 50 percent over a length of 500 millimeters in the visible region of the spectrum (approximately 420-750 nanometers).

[0027] As used herein, the term "anti-reflective" means that a material, layer, or coating has a refractive index greater than about 1.0 and less than about 1.4.

[0028] As used herein, the term "tinted" means that a material, layer or coating has been treated with an additional material, layer or coating so that the transmittance of light through the material, layer or coating is less than the transmittance of light through the same material, layer or coating that has not been treated with the additional material, layer or coating.

[0029] As used herein, the term "material having switchable transparency" refers to a material that undergoes a change in optical transparency when exposed to heat and / or light.

[0030] As used herein, the term "reflectivity value" refers to the fraction or percentage of light emitted from a light source of a display area that is reflected back toward the light source.

[0031] Figure 1 1 shows a perspective view of a display area 100 including a plurality of tiles 104 according to an embodiment disclosed herein. Figure 1 As shown, a plurality of tiles 104 are positioned in an M×N array on the backplane 102. The tiles 104 may be components of a micro LED display, for example, and although Figure 1 While display area 100 is shown to include 20 tiles 104 , embodiments disclosed herein include display areas including any number of tiles 104 .

[0032] Figure 2 The embodiment disclosed in this article shows Figure 1 1 and 2. An enlarged view of a tile 104 of a plurality of tiles 104. Although not limited to any particular geometry, in certain example embodiments, the tiles may have a rectangular shape with an X dimension ranging, for example, from about 50 microns to about 500 microns, such as from about 100 microns to about 300 microns, including about 200 microns, and a Y dimension ranging, for example, from about 40 microns to about 400 microns, such as from about 80 microns to about 250 microns, including about 150 microns.

[0033] Figure 3 The embodiment disclosed in this article shows Figure 2 200. The lateral distance between immediately adjacent pixels 200 (in Figure 3In some example embodiments, the pixel pitch may be from about 100 microns to about 500 microns, such as from about 200 to about 400 microns.

[0034] Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 2 is a magnified view of a pixel 200 showing a plurality of chips 204 (e.g., LED chips) and a transition layer 210 extending over the plurality of chips 204. One or more of the plurality of chips 204 may include, for example, a red, green, and blue (RGB) chip (e.g., an RGB LED chip). Figure 4 As shown, the display area 100 may extend around the chip 204. Furthermore, although Figure 4 While the display area 100 is shown extending around one chip 204 , embodiments disclosed herein include those where the display area 100 extends around multiple chips 204 .

[0035] Figure 5 The embodiment disclosed in this article shows Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the display region 100 taken along line "BB". The display region 100 includes an optically transparent layer 208, including a first major surface 208a and an opposing second major surface 208b. The display region 100 also includes a substrate 202, including a major surface 202a facing a second major surface 208b of the transparent layer 208. At least one light source 204 (e.g., an RGB LED chip) of a plurality of light sources (e.g., LEDs) is positioned on the major surface 202a of the substrate 202. In addition, a transition layer 210 extends between the transparent layer 208 and the at least one light source 204. The transition layer 210 includes an opaque material layer 210a, and includes an opening 212, the opening 212 extending over an area between the at least one light source 204 and the optically transparent layer 208. The transition layer 210 also includes a translucent material layer 210b extending across a portion of the opening 212, and this translucent material layer 210b includes at least one sub-opening 214 extending over a sub-area between the at least one light source 204 and the optically transparent layer 208. Specifically, Figure 5 Three sub-openings 214 are shown extending over the area between components of the light source 204 and the optically transparent layer 208. Furthermore, although Figure 5 While three sub-openings 214 are shown, embodiments disclosed herein may include those having more or fewer sub-openings 214 within the opening 212 .

[0036] Figure 6 Shows Figure 4 A perspective view of the display area 100 of FIG. Figure 6It can be seen that the translucent material layer 210b extends around the perimeter of the opening 212 of the opaque material layer 210a, and also extends around the perimeter of each sub-opening 214. Specifically, the translucent material layer 210b extends around the inner perimeter of the opening 212, while extending around the outer perimeter of each sub-opening 214. Therefore, each sub-opening 214 extends within the opening 212, wherein the translucent material layer 210b extends across the area of ​​the opening 212 that is not covered by the area of ​​the sub-opening 214.

[0037] In other words, the sub-area over which one or more sub-openings 214 extend constitutes a percentage of the area over which opening 212 extends. For example, embodiments disclosed herein include those in which the sub-area over which at least one sub-opening 214 extends constitutes from about 20% to about 80% (such as from about 30% to about 70%, and further such as from about 40% to about 60%) of the area over which opening 212 extends.

[0038] Figure 7 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a display region 100' according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The display region 100' extends across adjacent tiles 104 with seams 106 extending therebetween. The display region 100' includes an optically transparent layer 208, a substrate 202, and a light source 204 (e.g., an RGB LED chip) positioned on the substrate 202, wherein Figure 7 The substrate 202 and light source 204 of each tile 104 are shown positioned on opposite sides of the seam 106. In addition, a transition layer 210 extends between the transparent layer 208 and the light source 204. The transition layer 210 includes an opaque material layer 210a, and includes an opening 212 extending over an area between the light source 204 and the optically transparent layer 208. The opaque material layer 210a also extends across the seam 106. The transition layer 210 also includes a translucent material layer 210b that partially extends the opening 212, and includes a sub-opening 214 extending over a sub-area between the light source 204 and the optically transparent layer 208.

[0039] In certain example embodiments, the seams 106 may have a width such that the closest distance (or gap) between adjacent tiles 104 ranges from about 25 microns to about 200 microns, such as from about 50 microns to about 100 microns.

[0040] Figure 8 Shows Figure 71 . The display area includes four openings 212 extending within an opaque material layer 210a, wherein a sub-opening 214 extends within each opening 212, and a translucent material layer 210b extends around the perimeter of each opening 212 and also around the perimeter of each sub-opening 214. Specifically, each layer of translucent material 210b extends around the inner perimeter of each opening 212 and also around the outer perimeter of each sub-opening 214. And although in Figures 5 to 8 While the opening 212 and sub-opening 214 are shown to have rectangular areas, embodiments disclosed herein include those where the opening 212 and / or sub-opening 214 have other areas, such as other polygonal areas (eg, triangles, etc.), circular areas, or elliptical areas.

[0041] In certain example embodiments, the optically transparent layer 208 includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of: a glass material, a polymer material, a ceramic material, and sapphire. In certain example embodiments, the optically transparent layer 208 includes glass.

[0042] In certain example embodiments, transition layer 210 may be adhered to optically transparent layer 208 according to methods known to those skilled in the art, such as by lamination and solution coating, such as slot coating, rod coating, screen printing, inkjet printing, or spin coating.

[0043] In certain example embodiments, the opaque material layer 210a includes a black film, such as a polymer resin containing carbon particles. The opaque material layer 210a may also include an absorption / polarization film, such as a dye-doped liquid crystal or a guest-host liquid crystal film.

[0044] In certain example embodiments, the opaque material layer 210a may have an optical transmittance from about 0 percent to about 5 percent, such as from about 1 percent to about 4 percent, and further such as from about 2 percent to about 3 percent over a length of 500 millimeters in the visible range of the spectrum (approximately 420-750 nanometers).

[0045] In certain example embodiments, the layer of translucent material 210b comprises a tinted film and / or a material having a switchable transparency. In certain example embodiments, the layer of translucent material 210b comprises a circular polarizing film.

[0046] In certain example embodiments, the translucent material layer 210b may have an optical transmittance from about 5 percent to about 50 percent over a length of 500 millimeters in the visible range of the spectrum (approximately 420-750 nanometers), such as from about 10 percent to about 45 percent, and further such as from about 15 percent to about 40 percent.

[0047] In certain example embodiments, the display area 100 or 100' may also include one or more additional optically transparent or translucent layers. Such layers may, for example, include materials selected from at least one of the following: glass materials, polymeric materials, ceramic materials, and sapphire, and may or may not be colored and / or have a variable transparency. When colored, such layers may include a colored material selected from at least one of the following: for example, dyed hues, metallic hues, mixed hues, carbon hues, and ceramic hues known to those skilled in the art.

[0048] In some example embodiments, the display region 100 or 100' may include one or more layers including anti-reflective materials. For example, the layer including anti-reflective materials may be adhered to the optically transparent layer 208, for example, to the first major surface 208a of the optically transparent layer 208. The layer including anti-reflective materials, for example, includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of magnesium fluoride, fluorine-containing polymers, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, interference films, and layers having processed surfaces, such as nano-patterned glass.

[0049] Embodiments disclosed herein can, for example, enable display areas (such as micro-LED displays comprising multiple tiles) to have reduced seam or gap visibility. Such displays may also exhibit other desirable properties, such as greater than about 80% optical transmittance, less than about 5% reflectivity, less than about 5% haze, and ±90° viewing angles.

[0050] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to cover such modifications and changes provided within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A display area, the display area comprising: an optically transparent layer comprising a first major surface and an opposing second major surface; a substrate comprising a major surface facing the second major surface of the transparent layer; a plurality of light sources positioned on the major surface of the substrate; and A transition layer, the transition layer being between the optically transparent layer and the plurality of light sources, the transition layer comprising: a layer of opaque material comprising at least one opening extending over an area between at least one of the plurality of light sources and the optically transparent layer; and A layer of translucent material extends across a portion of the at least one opening and includes at least one sub-opening extending over a sub-area between at least one of the plurality of light sources and the optically transparent layer.

2. The display region of claim 1, wherein the layer of translucent material extends around at least a periphery of the at least one opening.

3. The display region of claim 2, wherein the at least one sub-opening comprises a plurality of sub-openings, and the layer of translucent material extends around a peripheral perimeter of each sub-opening.

4. The display area of ​​claim 1, wherein the display area comprises a plurality of tiles arranged in an array, a seam extending between adjacent tiles of the plurality of tiles, and the layer of opaque material extending across the seam.

5. The display region of claim 1, wherein the optically transparent layer comprises glass.

6. The display region of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources comprises light emitting diodes (LEDs).

7. The display region of claim 6, wherein the opening extends over a region including red, green, and blue (RGB) LED chips.

8. The display region of claim 1, wherein the transition layer is adhered to the optically clear layer.

9. The display region of claim 1, wherein the opaque material layer comprises a black film or an absorption / polarization film.

10. The display region of claim 1, wherein the layer of translucent material comprises a circular polarizing film.

11. The display region of claim 1, wherein the sub-region over which the at least one sub-opening extends constitutes about 20% to about 80% of the region over which the at least one opening extends. 12 . An electronic device comprising the display area according to claim 1 or 4 .

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