Display device

Abstract

The invention provides a display device which comprises a display panel and a light guide structure. The display panel has a display surface. The light guide structure is arranged on one side of the display surface of the display panel and located around the display surface. The light guide structure has an opening overlapping the display surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device, and in particular to a display device with a light guide structure. Background Art

[0002] Reflective or transflective display devices have gradually attracted attention due to their low energy consumption operation mode. In order to maintain the display quality when the ambient light is insufficient or too strong, most of these display devices are equipped with a front light source to meet the lighting requirements during display. However, the use of a front light source increases the energy consumption of the display device. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention is directed to a display device which has a better light energy utilization rate for ambient light.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a display device includes a display panel and a light guide structure. The display panel has a display surface. The light guide structure is arranged on one side of the display surface of the display panel and is located around the display surface. The light guide structure has an opening overlapping the display surface.

[0005] In the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the light guide structure surrounds the display surface.

[0006] In the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the light guide structure has a light extraction surface facing the display surface, and the light extraction surface does not overlap with the display surface along the normal direction of the display surface.

[0007] In the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the light extraction surface is a curved surface or a folded surface that is convex in a direction away from the display surface.

[0008] In the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the light guide structure is movably coupled to the display panel and has a light extraction surface that is convex in a direction away from the display surface. The light extraction surface is suitable for adjustment according to the position of the ambient light source.

[0009] In a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the display device further comprises a control unit and an ambient light sensor. The control unit is electrically coupled to the light guide structure. The ambient light sensor is electrically coupled to the control unit and is adapted to detect the position of the ambient light source. The control unit is adapted to adjust the light extraction surface according to the position of the ambient light source.

[0010] In a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the light guide structure includes a first light guide portion and a second light guide portion. The first light guide portion is arranged on a first side of the display panel and has a first light extraction sub-surface. The second light guide portion is arranged on a second side of the display panel relative to the first side and has a second light extraction sub-surface. The adjustment of the first light extraction sub-surface according to the position of the ambient light source is independent of the adjustment of the second light extraction sub-surface according to the position of the ambient light source.

[0011] In a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first light extraction sub-surface has a first virtual tangent plane at any point on the surface. The second light extraction sub-surface has a second virtual tangent plane at any point on the surface. When the ambient light source does not overlap the display surface along the normal direction of the display surface and is located on the first side of the display panel, the first angle between the first virtual tangent plane of the first light extraction sub-surface and the display surface is in the range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees. The second angle between the second virtual tangent plane of the second light extraction sub-surface and the display surface is in the range of 45 degrees to 90 degrees.

[0012] In a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first light extraction sub-surface has a first virtual tangent plane at any point on the surface. The second light extraction sub-surface has a second virtual tangent plane at any point on the surface. When the ambient light source is located on the side of the display panel facing away from the display surface and overlaps the display surface along the normal direction of the display surface, the first angle between the first virtual tangent plane of the first light extraction sub-surface and the display surface is in the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees. The second angle between the second virtual tangent plane of the second light extraction sub-surface and the display surface is in the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees.

[0013] In a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the light guide structure includes a third light guide portion and a fourth light guide portion. The third light guide portion is arranged on a third side of the display panel and has a third light extraction sub-surface. The fourth light guide portion is arranged on a fourth side of the display panel relative to the third side and has a fourth light extraction sub-surface. The arrangement direction of the third side and the fourth side intersects with the arrangement direction of the first side and the second side. Adjustment of the third light extraction sub-surface according to the position of the ambient light source is independent of adjustment of the fourth light extraction sub-surface according to the position of the ambient light source.

[0014] Based on the above, in a display device of one embodiment of the present invention, a light guide structure is provided around the display surface of the display panel, and the light guide structure has an opening overlapping the display surface. The user can view the image displayed on the display surface of the display panel through the opening of the light guide structure. Ambient light from different directions that cannot directly illuminate the display surface can be guided by the light guide structure and illuminated on the display surface. This can not only increase the light energy utilization rate of the display device for ambient light, but also improve the adaptability of the display device in different usage environments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a front view schematic diagram of a display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2A and Figure 2B yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a display device;

[0017] Figure 3A and Figure 3Bare cross-sectional schematic diagrams of light guide structures according to other variant embodiments of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 is a front view schematic diagram of a display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A block diagram showing the component configuration relationship of a display device;

[0020] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B They are Figure 4 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the first light guiding portion and the second light guiding portion operating under different ambient light sources;

[0021] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the first light guiding portion and the second light guiding portion operating under another ambient light source;

[0022] Figure 8 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the third light guiding portion and the fourth light guiding portion operating under an ambient light source.

[0023] Description of Reference Numerals

[0024] 10, 20: display device;

[0025] 100: display panel;

[0026] 200, 200A, 200B, 200C: light guide structure;

[0027] 210: first light guiding portion;

[0028] 220: second light guiding portion;

[0029] 230: third light guiding portion;

[0030] 240: fourth light guiding portion;

[0031] 300: control unit;

[0032] 350: ambient light sensor;

[0033] ABL: ambient light;

[0034] ALS: ambient light source;

[0035] AP1, AP2, AP3, AP4: points;

[0036] A1a, A1b, A1c: first angle;

[0037] A2a, A2b, A2c: second angle;

[0038] A3: The third angle;

[0039] A4: the fourth angle;

[0040] DS: display surface;

[0041] LRS, LRS-A, LRS-B: light extraction surface;

[0042] LRSS1: first light extraction sub-surface;

[0043] LRSS2: second light extraction sub-surface;

[0044] LRSS3: third light extraction sub-surface;

[0045] LRSS4: fourth light extraction sub-surface;

[0046] OP: Opening;

[0047] USR: user;

[0048] VTP1: first virtual cutting plane;

[0049] VTP2: second virtual tangent plane;

[0050] VTP3: third virtual cutting plane;

[0051] VTP4: The fourth virtual cutting plane. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

[0053] Figure 1 is a front view schematic diagram of a display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2A and Figure 2B yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a display device. Figure 3A and Figure 3B is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a light guide structure according to some other variant embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1 The display device 10 includes a display panel 100 and a light guide structure 200. The display panel 100 has a display surface DS. The light guide structure 200 is disposed on one side of the display surface of the display panel 100 and is located around the display surface DS.

[0054] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2A, the light guide structure 200 is suitable for being arranged between the user USR and the display panel 100. In order not to affect the user's viewing of the display image of the display panel 100 on the display surface DS, the light guide structure 200 has an opening OP overlapping the display surface DS. The overlapping relationship here is, for example, that the opening OP overlaps with the display surface DS along the normal direction of the display surface DS. The display panel 100 is, for example, a reflective display panel, a transflective display panel, or a micro transflective display panel.

[0055] In the present embodiment, the light guide structure 200 may be continuously disposed around the display surface DS of the display panel 100. That is, the opening OP of the light guide structure 200 is a closed opening. From another point of view, the structural relationship between the light guide structure 200 and the display panel 100 of the present embodiment is fixed. For example, the light guide structure 200 is detachably fixed (e.g., sleeved) on the display panel 100, but is not limited thereto. The display panel 100 may also be embedded in the mechanism of the light guide structure 200 and cannot be disassembled.

[0056] Specifically, the light guide structure 200 has a light extraction surface LRS facing the display surface DS, and the light extraction surface LRS does not overlap the display surface DS along the normal direction of the display surface DS. In the present embodiment, the light extraction surface LRS of the light guide structure 200 may be a mirror surface with a smooth surface, and its structural surface shape may be, for example, a circular arc surface convex in a direction away from the display surface DS, but is not limited thereto. In another variant embodiment, the structural surface shape of the light extraction surface of the light guide structure may be a folded surface, and its cross-sectional profile may include, for example, a triangle, a trapezoid, or a polygon (such as Figure 3A In another variant embodiment, the structure surface type of the light extraction surface of the light guide structure can be a free-form surface (such as Figure 3B The light extraction surface LRS-B of the light guiding structure 200B).

[0057] The material of the light guide structure 200 includes, for example, a plastic material such as plastic or metal. For example, in the present embodiment, the material of the light extraction surface LRS may be the material of the light guide structure 200 itself (e.g., a metal material with high reflectivity). However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the light extraction surface of the light guide structure may be formed by surface processing after the light guide structure is formed, that is, the material of the light extraction surface may be different from the forming material of the light guide structure itself.

[0058] It is particularly noted that the present invention does not limit the light extraction surface of the light guide structure to be a reflective mirror surface. In other embodiments not shown, the light extraction surface of the light guide structure may also be a rough surface with a light diffusion effect.

[0059] like Figure 2AAs shown, when the ambient light source ALS is located on the side of the display panel 100 facing away from the display surface DS and does not overlap the display surface DS along the normal direction of the display surface DS, the ambient light ABL emitted by it cannot directly illuminate the display surface DS of the display panel 100, but can be transmitted to the display surface DS after being reflected by the light extraction surface LRS of the light guide structure 200 to serve as auxiliary lighting during display. In this way, the light energy utilization rate of the ambient light ABL of the display device 10 can be increased.

[0060] In addition, the configuration of the light guide structure 200 can also improve the adaptability of the display device 10 in different usage environments. Figure 2B As shown, when the ambient light source ALS is located on the side of the display panel 100 facing away from the display surface DS and overlaps with the display surface DS along the normal direction of the display surface DS, the light guide structure 200 can still guide the ambient light ABL emitted by the ambient light source ALS to the display surface DS of the display panel 100 to serve as auxiliary lighting light during display.

[0061] Since the shape of the light extraction surface LRS of the light guide structure 200 can be adjusted according to various usage scenarios of the display device 10 , the present invention is not limited to the contents shown in the drawings.

[0062] Other embodiments will be listed below to illustrate the present disclosure in detail, wherein the same components will be marked with the same symbols, and the description of the same technical content will be omitted. For the omitted parts, please refer to the aforementioned embodiments, which will not be repeated below.

[0063] Figure 4 is a front view schematic diagram of a display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A block diagram showing the component configuration relationship of a display device. Fig. 6A and Figure 6B They are Figure 4 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the first light guiding portion and the second light guiding portion operating under different ambient light sources. Figure 7 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the first light guiding portion and the second light guiding portion operating under another ambient light source. Figure 8 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the third light guiding portion and the fourth light guiding portion operating under an ambient light source.

[0064] Please refer to Figure 4 The display device 20 of this embodiment and Figure 1 The difference between the display device 10 of the embodiment is that the configuration and operation mode of the light guide structure are different. For example, in the display device 20 of the present embodiment, the light guide structure 200C is movably coupled to the display panel 100, and the light extraction surface of the light guide structure 200C is suitable for adjustment according to the position of the ambient light source.

[0065] Specifically, the light guide structure 200C may include a first light guide portion 210, a second light guide portion 220, a third light guide portion 230, and a fourth light guide portion 240, which are disposed around the display surface DS of the display panel 100. For example, in the present embodiment, the first light guide portion 210 and the second light guide portion 220 are respectively disposed on the display panel 100 along a first direction (e.g. Figure 4 The first side and the second side (for example, Figure 4 The third light guide portion 230 and the fourth light guide portion 240 are respectively disposed on the display panel 100 along the second direction (eg Figure 4 The third side and the fourth side (for example, Figure 4 The first direction intersects with the second direction.

[0066] It is particularly noted that these light guide parts of the light guide structure 200C are separated from each other in structure. That is, the opening OP" of the light guide structure 200C of this embodiment is an open opening.

[0067] Please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 In order to achieve dynamic adjustment of the light extraction surface of the light guide structure 200C, the display device 20 further includes a control unit 300 and an ambient light sensor 350. The control unit 300 is electrically coupled to the light guide structure 200C. The ambient light sensor 350 is electrically coupled to the control unit 300 and is suitable for detecting the position of the ambient light source. The control unit 300 is suitable for adjusting the light extraction surface of the light guide structure 200 according to the position of the ambient light source. The control unit 300 is, for example, a microcontroller unit (MCU) or other integrated circuit units with computing and control capabilities.

[0068] Although not shown in the drawings, in one embodiment, the ambient light sensor 350 may be disposed on the display panel 100 and located on the side of the display panel 100 facing away from the display surface DS, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the ambient light sensor 350 may also be disposed on the light guide structure or the housing of the display device.

[0069] The operation of the light guide structure 200C of the display device 20 of this embodiment will be described below by way of example.

[0070] Please refer to Fig. 6A and Figure 6B, the first light guide portion 210 and the second light guide portion 220 of the light guide structure 200C respectively have a first light extraction sub-surface LRSS1 and a second light extraction sub-surface LRSS2. These two light extraction sub-surfaces constitute a part of the light extraction surface of the light guide structure 200C. It is particularly noted that the adjustment of the first light extraction sub-surface LRSS1 of the first light guide portion 210 according to the position of the ambient light source ALS is independent of the adjustment of the second light extraction sub-surface LRSS2 of the second light guide portion 220 according to the position of the ambient light source ALS. In other words, Figure 5 The control unit 300 in the display device 300 may individually adjust the orientations of the light extraction sub-surfaces of different light guiding portions according to the position of the ambient light source ALS detected by the ambient light sensor 350 to optimize or maximize the total amount of ambient light ABL guided to the display surface DS.

[0071] like Fig. 6A In the usage scenario, when the ambient light source ALS does not overlap the display surface DS along the normal direction of the display surface DS, for example, when it is located on the upper side or the sky side of the display panel 100, a first angle A1a between a first virtual tangent plane VTP1 of the first light extraction sub-surface LRSS1 at any point AP1 on the surface and the display surface DS may be in the range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees, and a second angle A2a between a second virtual tangent plane VTP2 of the second light extraction sub-surface LRSS2 at any point AP2 on the surface and the display surface DS may be in the range of 45 degrees to 90 degrees.

[0072] However, if Figure 6B As shown, when the ambient light source ALS is located on the lower side or the ground side of the display panel 100, the first angle A1b between the first virtual tangent plane VTP1 of the first light extraction sub-surface LRSS1 at any point AP1 on the surface and the display surface DS may be in the range of 45 degrees to 90 degrees, and the second angle A2b between the second virtual tangent plane VTP2 of the second light extraction sub-surface LRSS2 at any point AP2 on the surface and the display surface DS may be in the range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees.

[0073] Please refer to Figure 7 When the ambient light source ALS is located on the side of the display panel 100 facing away from the display surface DS and overlaps with the display surface DS along the normal direction of the display surface DS, the first angle A1c between the first virtual tangent plane VTP1 of the first light extraction sub-surface LRSS1 at any point AP1 on the surface and the display surface DS may be in the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees, and the second angle A2c between the second virtual tangent plane VTP2 of the second light extraction sub-surface LRSS2 at any point AP2 on the surface and the display surface DS may be in the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees.

[0074] Depend on Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 7It can be seen that the orientations of the first light extraction sub-surface LRSS1 of the first light guide portion 210 and the second light extraction sub-surface LRSS2 of the second light guide portion 220 of the light guide structure 200C of the display device 20 can be dynamically adjusted as the ambient light source ALS changes, so that the visual experience of the user USR when viewing the image content of the display panel 100 will not be significantly changed due to the change of the ambient light source ALS. In other words, the visual stability of the display device 20 during use can be improved.

[0075] Similar to the first light guide portion 210 and the second light guide portion 220, the third light guide portion 230 and the fourth light guide portion 240 of the light guide structure 200C have a third light extraction sub-surface LRSS3 and a fourth light extraction sub-surface LRSS4, respectively. These two light extraction sub-surfaces constitute another part of the light extraction surface of the light guide structure 200C. The adjustment of the third light extraction sub-surface LRSS3 of the third light guide portion 230 according to the position of the ambient light source ALS is independent of the adjustment of the fourth light extraction sub-surface LRSS4 of the fourth light guide portion 240 according to the position of the ambient light source ALS. In other words, Figure 5 The control unit 300 in the display device 300 may individually adjust the orientations of the light extraction sub-surfaces of different light guiding portions according to the position of the ambient light source ALS detected by the ambient light sensor 350 to optimize or maximize the total amount of ambient light ABL guided to the display surface DS.

[0076] like Figure 8 In the usage scenario, when the ambient light source ALS is located on the right side of the display panel 100 along the line of sight of the user USR, the third angle A3 between the third virtual tangent plane VTP3 of the third light extraction sub-surface LRSS3 at any point AP3 on the surface and the display surface DS may be in the range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees, and the fourth angle A4 between the fourth virtual tangent plane VTP4 of the fourth light extraction sub-surface LRSS4 at any point AP4 on the surface and the display surface DS may be in the range of 45 degrees to 90 degrees.

[0077] Since the adjustment method of the third light guide segment 230 and the fourth light guide segment 240 corresponding to the ambient light sources ALS in other different directions is similar to Figure 6B and Figure 7 For detailed description of the adjustment method of the first light guiding portion 210 and the second light guiding portion 220, please refer to the aforementioned relevant paragraphs, which will not be repeated here.

[0078] In this embodiment, when the ambient light source ALS is located above or below the display panel 100 in the direction of the user USR's sight (eg Fig. 6A and Figure 6B), the light energy utilization rate of the display device 20 for the ambient light ABL can be increased by adjusting the orientation of the light extraction sub-surfaces of the first light guide portion 210 and the second light guide portion 220 of the light guide structure 200C. When the ambient light source ALS is located on the left or right side of the display panel 100 in the direction of the user USR's line of sight (such as Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 2 , the light energy utilization rate of the display device 20 for the ambient light ABL can be increased by adjusting the orientation of the light extraction sub-surfaces of the third light guide portion 230 and the fourth light guide portion 240 of the light guide structure 200C.

[0079] When the ambient light source ALS is located directly behind the display panel 100 relative to the user USR, the light energy utilization rate of the display device 20 for the ambient light ABL can be increased by adjusting the orientations of the light extraction sub-surfaces of the first light guide portion 210, the second light guide portion 220, the third light guide portion 230 and the fourth light guide portion 240 of the light guide structure 200C.

[0080] In summary, in a display device of one embodiment of the present invention, a light guide structure is provided around the display surface of the display panel, and the light guide structure has an opening overlapping the display surface. The user can view the image displayed on the display surface of the display panel through the opening of the light guide structure. Ambient light from different directions that cannot directly illuminate the display surface can be guided by the light guide structure and illuminated on the display surface. This can not only increase the light energy utilization rate of the display device for ambient light, but also improve the adaptability of the display device in different usage environments.

[0081] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A display device, characterized in that: include: A display panel having a display surface; as well as The light guide structure is arranged on one side of the display surface of the display panel and is located around the display surface. The light guide structure has an opening overlapping the display surface.

2. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that The light guiding structure surrounds the display surface.

3. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that The light guide structure has a light extraction surface facing the display surface, and the light extraction surface does not overlap with the display surface along a normal direction of the display surface.

4. The display device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The light extraction surface is a curved surface or a folded surface that convexes in a direction away from the display surface.

5. The display device according to claim 1, characterized in that The light guide structure is movably coupled to the display panel and has a light extraction surface that protrudes in a direction away from the display surface. The light extraction surface is suitable for being adjusted according to the position of the ambient light source.

6. The display device according to claim 5, characterized in that: Also includes: A control unit, electrically coupled to the light guide structure; as well as The ambient light sensor is electrically coupled to the control unit and is adapted to detect the position of the ambient light source, wherein the control unit is adapted to adjust the light extraction surface according to the position of the ambient light source.

7. The display device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The light guide structure comprises: A first light guide portion, disposed on a first side of the display panel and having a first light extraction sub-surface; and A second light-guiding portion is disposed on a second side of the display panel relative to the first side and has a second light extraction sub-surface, wherein adjustment of the first light extraction sub-surface according to the position of the ambient light source is independent of adjustment of the second light extraction sub-surface according to the position of the ambient light source.

8. The display device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first light extraction sub-surface has a first virtual tangent plane at any point on the surface, and the second light extraction sub-surface has a second virtual tangent plane at any point on the surface, and when the ambient light source does not overlap with the display surface along the normal direction of the display surface and is located on the first side of the display panel, the first angle between the first virtual tangent plane of the first light extraction sub-surface and the display surface is in the range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees, and the second angle between the second virtual tangent plane of the second light extraction sub-surface and the display surface is in the range of 45 degrees to 90 degrees.

9. The display device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first light extraction sub-surface has a first virtual tangent plane at any point on the surface, and the second light extraction sub-surface has a second virtual tangent plane at any point on the surface. When the ambient light source is located on the side of the display panel facing away from the display surface and overlaps with the display surface along the normal direction of the display surface, the first angle between the first virtual tangent plane of the first light extraction sub-surface and the display surface is in the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees, and the second angle between the second virtual tangent plane of the second light extraction sub-surface and the display surface is in the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees.

10. The display device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The light guide structure comprises: a third light guide portion, disposed on a third side of the display panel and having a third light extraction sub-surface; and A fourth light guiding portion is arranged on a fourth side of the display panel relative to the third side, and has a fourth light extraction sub-surface, and an arrangement direction of the third side and the fourth side intersects with an arrangement direction of the first side and the second side, wherein adjustment of the third light extraction sub-surface according to the position of the ambient light source is independent of adjustment of the fourth light extraction sub-surface according to the position of the ambient light source.

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