Transparent display device and control method

Abstract

The invention discloses transparent display equipment and a control method, and the transparent display equipment comprises a display module which comprises a light-transmitting area and a non-light-transmitting area; the dimming module is located on the non-display side of the display module, and a plurality of movable shading particles are arranged in the dimming module; wherein the dimming module has a first state and a second state, in the first state, in a first direction, the plurality of movable shading particles are covered by a non-light-transmitting area of the display module, in the second state, in the first direction, the plurality of movable shading particles cover a light-transmitting area of the display module, and in the second state, in the first direction, the plurality of movable shading particles cover a light-transmitting area of the display module. The first direction is perpendicular to the plane where the transparent display device is located.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of display technology, and in particular to a transparent display device and a control method. Background Art

[0002] With the development of display technology, transparent display devices are increasingly widely used. However, currently transparent display devices always remain transparent when used, resulting in low display contrast and poor color reproduction when displaying images, affecting user experience. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of the above problems, the present application provides a transparent display device and a control method to achieve the purpose of improving the contrast and color reproduction of the display image. The specific scheme is as follows:

[0004] A transparent display device, comprising:

[0005] A display module, wherein the display module comprises a light-transmitting area and a non-light-transmitting area;

[0006] A dimming module, the dimming module is located on the non-display side of the display module, and the dimming module has a plurality of movable light-shielding particles;

[0007] In which, the dimming module has a first state and a second state. In the first state, in a first direction, the multiple movable light-shielding particles are covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module. In the second state, in the first direction, the multiple movable light-shielding particles cover the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module. The first direction is perpendicular to the plane where the transparent display device is located.

[0008] Optionally, the display module includes a plurality of light-emitting elements and a plurality of signal lines, and the signal lines are used to provide driving signals to the light-emitting elements;

[0009] In the first state, in the first direction, the plurality of movable light-shading particles are covered by the plurality of light-emitting elements and / or the plurality of signal lines, and in the second state, in the first direction, the plurality of movable light-shading particles cover the gaps between adjacent light-emitting elements.

[0010] Optionally, the dimming module includes:

[0011] A first substrate and a second substrate arranged opposite to each other;

[0012] A filling medium located between the first substrate and the second substrate and a plurality of light-shielding particles located in the filling medium;

[0013] An electrode is disposed on one of the first substrate and the second substrate, and the electrode is used to control the movement of the light-shielding particles. In the first direction, the electrode is covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module.

[0014] Optionally, the dimming module includes:

[0015] A first substrate and a second substrate arranged opposite to each other;

[0016] A filling medium located between the first substrate and the second substrate and a plurality of light-shielding particles located in the filling medium;

[0017] Wherein, electrodes are disposed on both the first substrate and the second substrate, and the electrodes are used to control the movement of the light-shielding particles. In the first direction, the electrodes are covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module.

[0018] Optionally, a first electrode is disposed on a side of the first substrate facing the second substrate, and a second electrode is disposed on a side of the second substrate facing the first substrate. The polarities of voltage signals applied to the first electrode and the second electrode are the same or different.

[0019] Optionally, the dimming module includes a first area and a second area, and the dimming module further includes a third state, in which, in the first direction, at least part of the light-shielding particles located in the first area overlap with the gaps between adjacent light-emitting elements, and at least part of the light-shielding particles located in the second area overlap with the gaps between adjacent light-emitting elements;

[0020] In the third state, the voltage signal value applied to the electrode located in the first region is different from the voltage signal value applied to the electrode located in the second region.

[0021] Optionally, the electrode located on one side of the filling medium includes a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode arranged and adjacent to each other along a second direction, the polarities of the voltage signals applied to the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode are opposite, and the second direction is parallel to the plane where the transparent display device is located.

[0022] Optionally, the dimming module further includes a plurality of cofferdam elements located in the filling medium, wherein the plurality of cofferdam elements divide the space between the first substrate and the second substrate into a plurality of accommodating spaces;

[0023] The portions of the filling medium located in the different accommodation spaces are separated by the cofferdam elements.

[0024] Optionally, in the first direction, the cofferdam element is covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, and one of the accommodating spaces covers at least one gap, which is a gap between adjacent light-emitting elements.

[0025] A control method, comprising:

[0026] In a first time period, the dimming module in the transparent display device is controlled to be in a first state. In the first state, in a first direction, the shading particles in the dimming module are covered by the non-light-transmitting area in the display module in the transparent display device, so that the display side of the transparent display device can view at least part of the image on the non-display side of the transparent display device through the transparent display device, and the dimming module is located on the non-display side of the display module;

[0027] In a second time period, the dimming module in the transparent display device is controlled to be in a second state. In the second state, in the first direction, the shading particles in the dimming module cover the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, so that the display side of the transparent display device cannot view the image on the non-display side of the transparent display device through the transparent display device. The first direction is perpendicular to the plane where the transparent display device is located. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The above and other features, advantages and aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements. It should be understood that the drawings are schematic and the originals and elements are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a transparent display device provided in this application;

[0030] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of another transparent display device provided in this application;

[0031] Figure 3 A top view of a display module in a transparent display device provided in the present application;

[0032] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of another transparent display device provided in the present application;

[0033] Figure 5 A top view of an electrode of a dimming module in a transparent display device provided in the present application;

[0034] Figure 6 A top view of an electrode of a dimming module in another transparent display device provided in the present application;

[0035] Figure 7 A top view of an electrode of a dimming module in another transparent display device provided by the present application;

[0036] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of another transparent display device provided in the present application;

[0037] Fig. 9 A schematic structural diagram of another transparent display device provided in the present application;

[0038] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of the structure of another transparent display device provided in the present application;

[0039] Fig.11 A schematic structural diagram of another transparent display device provided in the present application;

[0040] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the structure of another transparent display device provided in the present application;

[0041] Fig.13 A schematic structural diagram of another transparent display device provided in the present application;

[0042] Fig.14 A flow chart of a control method provided by one embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the embodiments in the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0044] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made in the present application without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application is intended to cover modifications and changes of the present application that fall within the scope of the corresponding claims (technical solutions for protection) and their equivalents. It should be noted that the implementation methods provided in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other without contradiction.

[0045] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0046] As described in the background technology section, currently transparent display devices always remain transparent when in use, resulting in low display contrast and poor color reproduction when the transparent display device displays images, affecting user experience.

[0047] Moreover, the transparent display device is always in a transparent state. When the transparent display device displays some personal privacy or confidential information, it is easy for others to see the displayed information from the non-display side of the transparent display device, resulting in information leakage, making it impossible to protect personal privacy or confidential information.

[0048] It should be noted that if PDLC (polymer dispersed liquid crystal) or dimming liquid crystal is used to switch the transparent display device between the transparent display state and the opaque display state, the transparent display device cannot switch between 100% transparency and 0% transparency in the light-transmitting area due to the small dynamic range of PDLC (polymer dispersed liquid crystal) or dimming liquid crystal, which affects the user experience. Moreover, dimming liquid crystal and PDLC require high voltage driving, and the maintenance state requires continuous power consumption, which will greatly increase the system power consumption of the transparent display device.

[0049] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a transparent display device, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the transparent display device includes:

[0050] A display module 10, comprising a light-transmitting area 11 and a non-light-transmitting area 12;

[0051] A dimming module 20 , which is located at the non-display side of the display module 10 , and has a plurality of movable light-shielding particles 201 ;

[0052] The dimming module 20 has a first state and a second state. Figure 2 As shown, in the first state, in the first direction X, the plurality of movable light-shielding particles 201 are covered by the non-light-transmitting area 12 of the display module 10, and in the second state, as shown Figure 1 As shown, in the first direction X, the plurality of movable light-shielding particles 201 cover the light-transmitting area 11 of the display module 10 , and the first direction X is perpendicular to the plane where the transparent display device is located.

[0053] Optionally, the transparent display device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wearable device, a vehicle-mounted device, an augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) device, a laptop computer, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a netbook, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not impose any restrictions on this.

[0054] The transparent display device provided in the embodiment of the present application includes a dimming module, which includes a first state and a second state. In the first state, in a first direction, the plurality of movable shading particles are covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, so that the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module can transmit light, so that the display side of the transparent display device can view at least a portion of the image on the non-display side of the transparent display device through the transparent display device, thereby enabling the transparent display device to achieve transparent display. In the second state, in the first direction, the plurality of movable shading particles cover the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, so that the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module does not transmit light, so that the display side of the transparent display device cannot view the image on the non-display side of the transparent display device through the transparent display device, thereby enabling the transparent display device to achieve non-transparent display.

[0055] The transparent display device provided in the embodiment of the present application utilizes movable shading particles to realize the switching of the transparent display device between a transparent display state and a non-transparent display state, and when the transparent display device is in the non-transparent display state, the movable shading particles are utilized to shield the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module so that the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module is not light-transmitting, thereby improving the display contrast and color reproduction effect of the transparent display device when displaying a picture, and when the transparent display device displays some personal information or privacy information, reducing the risk of information leakage and improving the user experience.

[0056] It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, when the dimming module is in the first state, in the first direction, the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module completely covers the light-shielding particles, so that the presence of the light-shielding particles will not affect the light transmittance of the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, so that the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module can achieve 100% transparency; when the dimming module is in the second state, in the first direction, the light-shielding particles completely block the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, so that the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module can achieve 0% transparency, a larger dynamic range, and the power consumption required for controlling the light-shielding particles is relatively small, thereby greatly reducing the power consumption of the transparent display device.

[0057] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, Figure 3 As shown, the display module 10 includes a plurality of light-emitting elements 13 and a plurality of signal traces 14 , and the signal traces 14 are used to provide driving signals to the light-emitting elements 13 to control the light-emitting state of the light-emitting elements 13 , thereby controlling the display of the display module 10 .

[0058] On the basis of the above embodiments, in one embodiment of the present application, in the first state, in the first direction, the plurality of movable shading particles are covered by the plurality of light-emitting elements, so that in the first direction, the plurality of movable shading particles are covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module; in another embodiment of the present application, in the first state, in the first direction, the plurality of movable shading particles are covered by the plurality of signal lines, so that in the first direction, the plurality of movable shading particles are covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module; in another embodiment of the present application, the plurality of movable shading particles are covered by the whole composed of the light-emitting elements and the plurality of signal lines, so that in the first direction, the plurality of movable shading particles are covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, and the present application does not limit this, and it depends on the specific circumstances. In the second state, in the first direction, the plurality of movable shading particles cover the gaps between the adjacent light-emitting elements, so that the shading particles cover the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, so that the transparent display device realizes non-transparent display, improves the contrast and color reproduction when the transparent display device displays the picture, and improves the user experience.

[0059] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, Figure 4 As shown, the dimming module 20 includes: a first substrate 21 and a second substrate 22 arranged opposite to each other; a filling medium 23 located between the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 22, and a plurality of light-shielding particles 201 located in the filling medium 23; wherein, an electrode 24 is provided on one of the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 22, and the electrode 24 is used to control the movement of the light-shielding particles 201, and in the first direction, the electrode is covered by the non-light-transmitting area 12 of the display module 10.

[0060] It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, in the first direction, the electrode is covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module to avoid the situation where, when the electrode is used to control the light-shielding particles to move to the area where the electrode is located, the area where the light-shielding particles are located overlaps with the light-transmitting area of ​​the dimming module in the first direction, thereby affecting the transparent display effect of the transparent display device.

[0061] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, in the first state, in the first direction, when the plurality of movable light-shielding particles are covered by the plurality of light-emitting elements, in the first direction, the electrode is covered by the light-emitting element of the display module, and the top view of the electrode in the dimming module is as follows: Figure 5As shown; in another embodiment of the present application, in the first state, in the first direction, when the plurality of movable light-shielding particles are covered by the plurality of signal lines, in the first direction, the electrode is covered by the plurality of signal lines, and the top view of the electrode in the dimming module is as shown Figure 6 As shown; in another embodiment of the present application, when the plurality of movable light-shielding particles are covered by the entirety of the light-emitting element and the plurality of signal lines, in the first direction, the electrode is covered by the entirety of the light-emitting element and the plurality of signal lines, and the top view of the electrode in the dimming module is as shown Figure 7 This application does not limit this, and the specific situation depends on the circumstances.

[0062] Specifically, when the transparent display device is working, in the first state, the electrodes on the first substrate or the second substrate control the light-shielding particles to move below the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, so that the light-shielding particles in the dimming module are covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, so that the display side of the transparent display device can view at least part of the image on the non-display side of the transparent display device through the transparent display device, thereby realizing transparent display of the transparent display device. In the second state, the electrodes on the first substrate or the second substrate control the light-shielding particles to move below the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, so that the light-shielding particles in the dimming module block the light-transmitting area in the display module, so that the display side of the transparent display device cannot view the image on the non-display side of the transparent display device through the transparent display device, thereby realizing non-transparent display of the transparent display device.

[0063] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the light-shielding particles are black electrophoretic particles. In this embodiment, the electrophoretic particles may be positively charged or negatively charged, and the present application does not impose any limitation on this, depending on the specific circumstances.

[0064] The following is Figure 4 As shown, the first substrate is provided with electrodes, and the second substrate is not provided with electrodes. For example, the transparent display device provided in the embodiment of the present application is described, but the present application is not limited to this. In other embodiments of the present application, in the transparent display device, the second substrate may be provided with electrodes, and the first substrate may not be provided with electrodes, such as Figure 8 As shown, subject to availability.

[0065] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the shading particles are positively charged black electrophoretic particles. In this embodiment, when the transparent display device is in a non-transparent display state, a negative voltage is applied to the electrodes on the first substrate so that the electrodes on the first substrate attract the electrophoretic particles dispersed in the filling medium, thereby utilizing the attraction to move the electrophoretic particles to the bottom of the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display panel, so that the shading particles in the dimming module are covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, thereby realizing the switching of the non-transparent display state to the transparent display state of the transparent display device; when the transparent display device is in a transparent display state, the voltage signal applied to the electrodes on the first substrate is removed, thereby canceling the attraction of the electrodes on the first substrate to the electrophoretic particles, so that the electrophoretic particles are restored to the state of being dispersed in the filling medium, so that the shading particles in the dimming module shield the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, and the transparent display device switches from the transparent display state to the non-transparent display state.

[0066] In another embodiment of the present application, in order to increase the switching speed of the transparent display device from a transparent display state to a non-transparent display state, when the transparent display device is in a transparent display state, a short-time positive voltage signal can also be applied to the electrode on the first substrate to apply a force to the shading particles located in the area where the electrode is located, so that the shading particles located in the area where the electrode is located are dispersed faster, thereby shortening the time it takes for the transparent display device to switch from a transparent display state to a non-transparent display state.

[0067] In another embodiment of the present application, Fig. 9 As shown, the dimming module 20 includes: a first substrate 21 and a second substrate 22 arranged opposite to each other, a filling medium 23 located between the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 22, and a plurality of light-shielding particles 201 located in the filling medium 23; wherein, electrodes 24 are provided on both the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 22, and the electrodes 24 are used to control the movement of the light-shielding particles 201, and in the first direction, the electrodes 24 are covered by the non-light-transmitting area 12 of the display module 10.

[0068] Compared with the previous embodiment, an electrode is provided on one of the first substrate and the second substrate. In the present embodiment, electrodes are provided on both the first substrate and the second substrate. Thus, when the electrodes on the first substrate and the second substrate are used to control the light-shielding particles to move to directly below the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, a greater force is exerted on the light-shielding particles, so that the light-shielding particles move faster, thereby improving the speed at which the transparent display device switches from a non-transparent display state to a transparent display state.

[0069] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, continue as Fig. 9As shown, a first electrode 241 is provided on the side of the first substrate 21 facing the second substrate 22, and a second electrode 242 is provided on the side of the second substrate 22 facing the first substrate 21. The polarities of the voltage signals applied to the first electrode 241 and the second electrode 242 may be the same or different.

[0070] Specifically, in one embodiment of the present application, the voltage signals applied to the first electrode 241 and the second electrode 242 have the same polarity. For example, the light-shielding particles 201 are electrophoretic particles with positive charges. When the transparent display device switches from a non-transparent display state to a transparent display state, negative voltage signals are applied to both the first electrode 241 and the second electrode 242 to utilize the attraction between positive and negative charges to attract the light-shielding particles 201 to the bottom of the non-light-transmitting area 12 of the display module 10, so that the transparent display device realizes transparent display. When the transparent display device switches from a transparent display state to a non-transparent display state, the negative voltage signal on the first electrode 241 and the second electrode 242 is canceled, or a short-time positive voltage signal is further applied to the first electrode 241 and the second electrode 242, so that the light-shielding particles 201 located directly below the display module 10 are dispersed, and at least partially moved to the bottom of the light-transmitting area 11 of the display module 10, thereby blocking the light emitted to the light-transmitting area 11 of the display module 10, so that the transparent display device can be switched from a transparent display state to a non-transparent display state.

[0071] In another embodiment of the present application, the polarities of the voltage signals applied to the first electrode and the second electrode are opposite. For example, the light-shielding particles are electrophoretic particles with positive charges. When the transparent display device switches from a non-transparent display state to a transparent display state, a negative voltage signal is applied to the first electrode, and a positive voltage signal is applied to the second electrode, so as to utilize the attraction between the positive charge on the light-shielding particles and the negative charge on the first electrode to attract the light-shielding particles to the part directly below the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, so that the transparent display device realizes transparent display, and utilizes the repulsive force between the positive charge of the second electrode and the positive charge on the light-shielding particles to cause the light-shielding particles to gather near the surface of the first electrode; when the transparent display device switches from a transparent display state to a non-transparent display state, the negative voltage signals on the first electrode and the second electrode are canceled, or a short-time positive voltage signal is further applied to the first electrode and the second electrode, so that the light-shielding particles located directly below the display module are dispersed, at least partially moved to the part below the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, and light directed to the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module is blocked, so that the transparent display device realizes switching from a transparent display state to a non-transparent display state.

[0072] It should be noted that, in actual use, the transparent display device may have only two states: a transparent display state and a non-transparent display state, or may also include a state where part of the display is transparent, part of the display is non-transparent, or at least part of the display is semi-transparent, etc. This application does not limit this, and it depends on the specific situation.

[0073] It should also be noted that, in this embodiment, the transparent display device can control the aggregation degree of the shading particles in the filling medium by controlling the voltage value applied to the electrodes on the first substrate and / or the second substrate, thereby controlling the number of shading particles in the filling medium located below the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, thereby controlling the light transmittance of the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, and further controlling the transparency of this area of ​​the transparent display device. It should be noted that the greater the voltage value applied to the first substrate and / or the second substrate, the better the aggregation degree of the shading particles in the filling medium, the fewer the number of shading particles located in the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, the better the transparency of the light-transmitting area of ​​the corresponding display module of the transparent display device, that is, the better the transparency of the transparent display device.

[0074] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, Fig.10 As shown, the dimming module 20 includes a first area 203 and a second area 204, and the dimming module 20 also includes a third state. In the third state, in the first direction X, at least part of the shading particles 201 located in the first area 203 overlap with the gap between the adjacent light-emitting elements 13, and the shading particles 201 located in the second area 203 do not overlap with the gap between the adjacent light-emitting elements 13, so that the first area 202 of the dimming module 20 cannot transmit light, and the second area 203 of the dimming module 20 can transmit light, so that the position of the display side of the transparent display device corresponding to the first area 202 can observe the light on the non-display side of the transparent display device through the transparent display device, and the position of the display side of the transparent display device corresponding to the second area 203 cannot observe the light on the non-display side of the transparent display device through the transparent display device, so that some areas of the transparent display device can achieve transparent display, and some areas cannot achieve transparent display.

[0075] Optionally, in another embodiment of the present application, Fig.11As shown, the dimming module 20 includes a first area 203 and a second area 204, and the dimming module 20 also includes a third state. In the third state, in the first direction X, at least a portion of the shading particles 201 in the first area 203 overlaps with the gap between the adjacent light-emitting elements 13, and at least a portion of the shading particles 201 in the second area 203 overlaps with the gap between the adjacent light-emitting elements 13; in the third state, the voltage signal value applied to the electrode in the first area 202 and the voltage signal value applied to the electrode in the second area 203 are equal to or greater than the value of the voltage signal applied to the electrode in the first area 202. The voltage signal values ​​are different by controlling the voltage signal values ​​applied to the electrode located in the first area 202 and the electrode located in the second area 203 to be different, so that the aggregation degree of the light-shielding particles 201 located in the first area 202 and the aggregation degree of the light-shielding particles 201 located in the second area 203 are different, so that the light transmittance of the light-transmitting area 11 of the display module 10 corresponding to the first area 202 and the light-transmitting area 11 corresponding to the second area 203 are different, and then the transparency of the transparent display device corresponding to the first area 202 and the transparency of the second area 203 are different, so as to realize the display of different transparencies in different areas.

[0076] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, Fig.12 As shown, the electrode located on one side of the filling medium 23 includes a first sub-electrode 2401 and a second sub-electrode 2402 arranged and adjacent to each other along a second direction Y, the polarities of the voltage signals applied to the first sub-electrode 2401 and the second sub-electrode 2402 are opposite, and the second direction Y is parallel to the plane where the transparent display device is located, thereby utilizing the different electrical properties of the voltage signals applied to the first sub-electrode 2401 and the second sub-electrode 2402 to increase the movement speed of the shading particles 201 located between the first sub-electrode 2401 and the second sub-electrode 2402 in the second direction Y.

[0077] Specifically, in one embodiment of the present application, the shading particles are positively charged, a negative voltage signal is applied to the first sub-electrode, and a positive voltage signal is applied to the second sub-electrode. When the transparent display device switches from a non-transparent display state to a transparent display state, the negative voltage signal on the first sub-electrode is used to give the shading particles an attractive force, and the positive voltage signal on the second sub-electrode is used to give the shading particles a repulsive force, so that the shading particles located between the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode in the second direction move to directly above the first sub-electrode at a faster speed, thereby shortening the switching of the transparent display device from the non-transparent display state to the transparent display state; when the transparent display device switches from the transparent display state to the non-transparent display state, the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode are canceled. The voltage signal on the second sub-electrode causes the shading particles located directly above the first sub-electrode to disperse in the filling medium and move to the bottom of the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, so that the transparent display device switches from a transparent display state to a non-transparent display state, or, a short-time positive voltage signal is applied to the first sub-electrode, and a short-time negative voltage signal is applied to the second sub-electrode, and the first sub-electrode is used to give a repulsive force to the shading particles located directly above it, and the second sub-electrode is used to give an attractive force to the shading particles located directly above the first sub-electrode, so that the shading particles located above the first sub-electrode quickly disperse, increase the speed of the shading particles moving to the bottom of the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, and shorten the time for the transparent display device to switch from a transparent display state to a non-transparent display state. However, this application does not limit this, and it depends on the specific situation.

[0078] It should be noted that if a short-time positive voltage signal is applied to the first sub-electrode and a short-time negative voltage signal is applied to the second sub-electrode, so that the light-shielding particles located above the first sub-electrode quickly disperse, the time of the voltage signal applied to the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode is less than the time for the transparent display device to switch from a transparent display state to a non-transparent display state, thereby avoiding the transition of the light-shielding particles to move directly above the second sub-electrode, and the transparent display device becomes transparent again. It should also be noted that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the time of the voltage signal applied to the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode when a short-time negative voltage signal is applied to the second sub-electrode so that the light-shielding particles located above the first sub-electrode quickly disperse, which depends on the voltage signal values ​​applied to the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode and the moving speed of the light-shielding particles.

[0079] Based on any of the above embodiments, in one embodiment of the present application, Fig.13As shown, the dimming module 20 also includes a plurality of cofferdam elements 25 located in the filling medium 23, and the plurality of cofferdam elements 25 divide the space between the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 22 into a plurality of accommodating spaces; the portion of the filling medium 23 located in the different accommodating spaces is separated by the cofferdam elements 25, so that the shading particles 201 located in different areas of the filling medium 23 are also separated by the cofferdam elements 25, and then when the movement of the shading particles 201 is controlled by the electrodes on the first substrate 21 and / or the second substrate 22, the shading particles 201 located in the same accommodating space can only move in the accommodating space, so as to improve the uniformity of the distribution of the shading particles 201 in different accommodating spaces in the filling medium 23 in the process of controlling the movement of the shading particles 201 by the electrodes on the first substrate 21 and / or the second substrate 22, but the present application does not limit this and it depends on the specific circumstances.

[0080] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the cofferdam element is a transparent element. In this embodiment, in the first direction, the cofferdam element may be covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, or may be covered by the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module. It should be noted that compared with the cofferdam element being covered by the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, the cofferdam element being covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module can make the cofferdam element not occupy the position below the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module. When the transparent display device is in a non-transparent display state, no light will be transmitted through the cofferdam element to the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, which is beneficial to reduce the non-transparency of the transparent display device when it is in a non-transparent display state.

[0081] In another embodiment of the present application, the cofferdam element is a non-transparent element. In this embodiment, in the first direction, the cofferdam element is covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module so that the setting of the cofferdam element does not affect the transparent display of the display module.

[0082] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, in the first direction, the cofferdam element is covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, and one of the accommodating spaces covers at least one gap, which is the gap between adjacent light-emitting elements, so that the shading particles in any accommodating space can control the switching of the transparent and non-transparent display states of the dimming mode corresponding to at least one gap in the display module.

[0083] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the display module includes a plurality of display pixels, one display pixel corresponds to one light-emitting element, and in the first direction, one display pixel covers one cofferdam element to further improve the uniformity of distribution of the shading particles in the dimming module, but the present application does not limit this, it depends on the specific circumstances. Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the display module includes a red light-emitting element, a blue light-emitting element and a green light-emitting element, and the red light-emitting element, the blue light-emitting element and the green light-emitting element are periodically arranged in the display module so that the display module can realize color display, but the present application does not limit this, it depends on the specific circumstances.

[0084] Accordingly, the embodiment of the present application further provides a control method, which can be applied to the transparent display device provided in any of the above embodiments. Since the relevant contents of the transparent display device have been described in the above embodiments, the present application will not repeat them. Specifically, in the present embodiment, if Fig.14 As shown, the control method includes:

[0085] S1: In a first time period, controlling a dimming module in a transparent display device to be in a first state, in which, in a first direction, light-shielding particles in the dimming module are covered by a non-light-transmitting area in a display module in the transparent display device, so that a display side of the transparent display device can view at least a portion of an image on a non-display side of the transparent display device through the transparent display device, and the dimming module is located on the non-display side of the display module;

[0086] S2: In a second time period, the dimming module in the transparent display device is controlled to be in a second state. In the second state, in the first direction, the shading particles in the dimming module cover the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, so that the display side of the transparent display device cannot view the image on the non-display side of the transparent display device through the transparent display device. The first direction is perpendicular to the plane where the transparent display device is located.

[0087] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the control method includes:

[0088] In a first time period, a first control signal is applied to the electrode in the dimming module to provide a first force to the light-shielding particles, wherein the first force is used to control the light-shielding particles to converge below the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, and in the first direction, the electrode is covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, so that the display side of the transparent display device can view at least a portion of the image on the non-display side of the transparent display device through the transparent display device;

[0089] In the second time period, the first control signal on the electrode is removed, so that the light-shielding particles gathered below the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module are dispersed and at least partially moved below the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, so that the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module is covered by the light-shielding particles, so that the display side of the transparent display device cannot view the image on the non-display side of the transparent display device through the transparent display device.

[0090] In another embodiment of the present application, the control method includes:

[0091] In a first time period, a first control signal is applied to the electrode in the dimming module to provide a first force to the light-shielding particles, wherein the first force is used to control the light-shielding particles to converge below the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, and in the first direction, the electrode is covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, so that the display side of the transparent display device can view at least a portion of the image on the non-display side of the transparent display device through the transparent display device;

[0092] In a second time period, a second control signal is provided to the electrode for a second time to provide a second force to the shading particles, wherein the second force is opposite to the direction of the first force, so that the shading particles gathered below the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module are dispersed and at least partially moved below the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, so that the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module is covered by the shading particles, so that the display side of the transparent display device cannot view the image on the non-display side of the transparent display device through the transparent display device.

[0093] It should be noted that, in the above embodiment, the second time is shorter than the first time, and the first time is the time for the dimming module to switch from the first state to the second state, so as to avoid the second force being applied to the light-shielding particles for too long. The light-shielding particles move transitionally and move to just above the second sub-electrode, and the transparent display device becomes a transparent display again, and non-transparent display cannot be achieved.

[0094] It should also be noted that, compared to removing the first control signal on the electrode in the second time period, providing the electrode with a second control signal for a second time in the second time period to provide a second force to the light-shielding particles can increase the dispersion speed of the light-shielding particles and shorten the time for the transparent display device to switch from a transparent display state to a non-transparent display state.

[0095] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, in a first time period, applying a first control signal to the electrode in the dimming module includes: in the first time period, applying a voltage signal of a first polarity to multiple first electrodes in the dimming module, and the multiple first electrodes are located on the same side of the filling medium in the dimming module; in a second time period, providing a second control signal to the electrode for a second time includes: providing a voltage signal of a second polarity to the first electrode for a second time, and the first polarity and the second polarity are opposite, so as to control the light-shielding particles to gather above the first electrode, or disperse from above the first electrode, and at least partially move to below the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module by applying voltage signals of different electrical properties to the first electrode in different time periods, so as to enable the transparent display device to switch between a transparent display state and a non-transparent display state.

[0096] Specifically, in one embodiment of the present application, the shading particles are positively charged black electrophoretic particles. In this embodiment, when the transparent display device is in a non-transparent display state, a negative voltage is applied to the electrodes on the first substrate so that the electrodes on the first substrate attract the electrophoretic particles dispersed in the filling medium, thereby utilizing the attraction to move the electrophoretic particles to the bottom of the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display panel, so that the shading particles in the dimming module are covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, thereby realizing the switching of the non-transparent display state to the transparent display state of the transparent display device; when the transparent display device is in a transparent display state, a positive voltage signal of a second time is applied to the electrodes on the first substrate to apply a force to the shading particles located in the area where the electrodes are located, so that the shading particles located in the area where the electrodes are located are dispersed faster, thereby shortening the time for the transparent display device to switch from the transparent display state to the non-transparent display state.

[0097] In another embodiment of the present application, in the first time period, applying the first control signal to the electrode in the dimming module includes: in the first time period, applying a voltage signal of a first polarity to a first sub-electrode in the dimming module, and applying a voltage signal of a second polarity to a second sub-electrode in the dimming module, wherein the first polarity and the second polarity are different;

[0098] In the second time period, providing the second control signal to the electrode for a second time includes: applying a voltage signal of a second polarity to the first sub-electrode for a second time, and applying a voltage signal of a first polarity to the second sub-electrode;

[0099] The first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode are located on the same side of the filling medium in the dimming module, and the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode are arranged at intervals in the second direction, and the second direction is parallel to the plane where the transparent display device is located.

[0100] Specifically, in one embodiment of the present application, the shading particles are positively charged, and the control method includes: when the transparent display device switches from a non-transparent display state to a transparent display state, a negative voltage signal is applied to the first sub-electrode, and a positive voltage signal is applied to the second sub-electrode, and the negative voltage signal on the first sub-electrode is used to give the shading particles an attractive force, and the positive voltage signal on the second sub-electrode is used to give the shading particles a repulsive force, so that the shading particles located between the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode in the second direction move to directly above the first sub-electrode at a faster speed, thereby shortening the transparent display device from the non-transparent display state to the transparent display state. When the transparent display device switches from the transparent display state to the non-transparent display state, a positive voltage signal for a second time is applied to the first sub-electrode, and a negative voltage signal for a second time is applied to the second sub-electrode, the first sub-electrode is used to give a repulsive force to the shading particles directly above it, and the second sub-electrode is used to give an attractive force to the shading particles directly above the first sub-electrode, so that the shading particles above the first sub-electrode are quickly dispersed, the speed at which the shading particles move to the bottom of the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module is increased, and the switching time of the transparent display device from the transparent display state to the non-transparent display state is shortened.

[0101] In another embodiment of the present application, the shading particles are positively charged, and the control method includes: when the transparent display device switches from a non-transparent display state to a transparent display state, a negative voltage signal is applied to the first sub-electrode, and a positive voltage signal is applied to the second sub-electrode, and the negative voltage signal on the first sub-electrode is used to give the shading particles an attraction force, and the positive voltage signal on the second sub-electrode is used to give the shading particles a repulsion force, so that the shading particles located between the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode in the second direction move to directly above the first sub-electrode at a faster speed, shortening the switching of the transparent display device from the non-transparent display state to the transparent display state; when the transparent display device switches from the transparent display state to the non-transparent display state, the voltage signals on the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode are canceled, so that the shading particles located directly above the first sub-electrode are dispersed in the filling medium and move to below the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, so that the transparent display device switches from the transparent display state to the non-transparent display state.

[0102] In summary, the transparent display device and control method provided in the embodiments of the present application utilize movable shading particles to realize the switching of the transparent display device between a transparent display state and a non-transparent display state, and when the transparent display device is in the non-transparent display state, the movable shading particles are utilized to block the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module so that the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module is not light-transmitting, thereby improving the display contrast and color reproduction effect of the transparent display device when displaying the picture, and when the transparent display device displays some personal information or privacy information, reducing the risk of information leakage and improving the user experience.

[0103] In this specification, each embodiment is described in a progressive, parallel, or progressive and parallel manner. Each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments, and the same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to each other. For the method disclosed in the embodiment, since it corresponds to the device disclosed in the embodiment, the description is relatively simple, and the relevant parts can be referred to the method part.

[0104] It should be noted that in the description of the present application, it should be understood that the description of the drawings and embodiments is illustrative rather than restrictive. The same reference numerals throughout the embodiments of the specification mark the same structure. In addition, for the purpose of understanding and ease of description, the drawings may exaggerate the thickness of some layers, films, panels, regions, etc. It should also be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first and second, etc. are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply that there is any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the term "includes", "comprising" or any other variant thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that the article or equipment including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also includes other elements that are not clearly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such articles or equipment. In the absence of more restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "including one..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the articles or equipment including the above elements.

[0105] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to implement or use the present application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application will not be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but will conform to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A transparent display device, comprising: A display module, wherein the display module comprises a light-transmitting area and a non-light-transmitting area; A dimming module, the dimming module is located on the non-display side of the display module, and the dimming module has a plurality of movable light-shielding particles; In which, the dimming module has a first state and a second state. In the first state, in a first direction, the multiple movable light-shielding particles are covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module. In the second state, in the first direction, the multiple movable light-shielding particles cover the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module. The first direction is perpendicular to the plane where the transparent display device is located.

2. The transparent display device according to claim 1, wherein the display module comprises a plurality of light-emitting elements and a plurality of signal lines, and the signal lines are used to provide driving signals to the light-emitting elements; In the first state, in the first direction, the plurality of movable light-shading particles are covered by the plurality of light-emitting elements and / or the plurality of signal lines, and in the second state, in the first direction, the plurality of movable light-shading particles cover the gaps between adjacent light-emitting elements.

3. The transparent display device according to claim 2, wherein the dimming module comprises: A first substrate and a second substrate arranged opposite to each other; A filling medium located between the first substrate and the second substrate and a plurality of light-shielding particles located in the filling medium; An electrode is disposed on one of the first substrate and the second substrate, and the electrode is used to control the movement of the light-shielding particles. In the first direction, the electrode is covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module.

4. The transparent display device according to claim 2, wherein the dimming module comprises: A first substrate and a second substrate arranged opposite to each other; A filling medium located between the first substrate and the second substrate and a plurality of light-shielding particles located in the filling medium; Wherein, electrodes are disposed on both the first substrate and the second substrate, and the electrodes are used to control the movement of the light-shielding particles. In the first direction, the electrodes are covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module.

5. The transparent display device according to claim 4, wherein a first electrode is disposed on a side of the first substrate facing the second substrate, and a second electrode is disposed on a side of the second substrate facing the first substrate, and polarities of voltage signals applied to the first electrode and the second electrode are the same or different.

6. The transparent display device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the dimming module comprises a first region and a second region, and the dimming module further comprises a third state, wherein in the third state, in the first direction, at least a portion of the shading particles located in the first region overlap with a gap between adjacent light-emitting elements, and at least a portion of the shading particles located in the second region overlap with a gap between adjacent light-emitting elements; In the third state, the voltage signal value applied to the electrode located in the first region is different from the voltage signal value applied to the electrode located in the second region.

7. According to the transparent display device according to claim 3 or 4, the electrode located on one side of the filling medium includes a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode arranged and adjacent to each other along a second direction, the polarities of the voltage signals applied to the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode are opposite, and the second direction is parallel to the plane where the transparent display device is located.

8. The transparent display device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the dimming module further comprises a plurality of dam elements located in the filling medium, wherein the plurality of dam elements divide the space between the first substrate and the second substrate into a plurality of accommodation spaces; The portions of the filling medium located in the different accommodation spaces are separated by the cofferdam elements.

9. The transparent display device according to claim 8, wherein in the first direction, the cofferdam element is covered by the non-light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, and one of the accommodating spaces covers at least one gap, which is a gap between adjacent light-emitting elements.

10. A control method, comprising: In a first time period, the dimming module in the transparent display device is controlled to be in a first state. In the first state, in a first direction, the shading particles in the dimming module are covered by the non-light-transmitting area in the display module in the transparent display device, so that the display side of the transparent display device can view at least part of the image on the non-display side of the transparent display device through the transparent display device, and the dimming module is located on the non-display side of the display module; In a second time period, the dimming module in the transparent display device is controlled to be in a second state. In the second state, in the first direction, the shading particles in the dimming module cover the light-transmitting area of ​​the display module, so that the display side of the transparent display device cannot view the image on the non-display side of the transparent display device through the transparent display device. The first direction is perpendicular to the plane where the transparent display device is located.

Images