Method for operating a light-emitting assembly

Abstract

Method for operating a light-emitting assembly (100, 130) comprising the light-emitting assembly (100, 130): • a light-emitting component (120) with a first principal emission direction (102) and a second principal emission direction (104), wherein the first principal emission direction (102) is different from the second principal emission direction (104) and wherein the light-emitting component (120) is essentially transparent; and • at least one electro-optical component (110) arranged in the beam path of the first principal emission direction (102) or the second principal emission direction (104), wherein the electro-optic component (110) is configured such that, with respect to the light that can be emitted by the light-emitting component (120), it has at least a first state with a first reflectivity and a second state with a second reflectivity, and the reflectivity can be changed from the first reflectivity to the second reflectivity by electrically controlling the electro-optic component (110), wherein the second reflectivity is higher than the first reflectivity; comprising the method: • Controlling the light-emitting component (120) with a first electrical energy, wherein the first electrical energy has a temporal profile, wherein the temporal profile of the first electrical energy has a plurality of energy pulses, and • Controlling the at least one electro-optical component (110) with a second electrical energy, wherein the second electrical energy has a temporal profile, wherein the temporal profile of the second electrical energy has a plurality of energy pulses, • wherein the light-emitting assembly has an electrically adjustable transparency with a transmittance in a range of approximately 0% to approximately 99% • wherein the time course of the first electrical energy and the time course of the second electrical energy are pulse-modulated relative to each other such that the transparency of the light-emitting assembly (100, 130) with respect to a time-averaged transparency of the light-emitting assembly when changing the ratio of the intensity of the light emitted in the first principal emission direction to the intensity of the light emitted in the second principal emission direction is essentially constant.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a light-emitting assembly.

[0002] Publication US 2012 / 0140304A1 concerns a "Dual View" display. Publication EP 1515181A1 concerns a display. Publication DE 102007010039A1 concerns an optoelectronic device and a control method.

[0003] Large-area illuminated surfaces, for example those made of or containing organic light-emitting diodes, are currently either transparent, semi-transparent, diffuse, translucent, or reflective. Colloquially, this is simply described as "see-through" or "not see-through."

[0004] So far, only large-area luminous surfaces are known that can be switched between the states "opaque" and "transparent". Furthermore, outside the states "opaque" and "transparent", these large-area luminous surfaces exhibit only a discrete, unchangeable emission pattern.

[0005] Other known electrically switchable mirror coatings include: DE 10 031 294 A1, DE 10 2007 022 090 A1; and electrically switchable apertures / filters: J. Jacobsen et al., IBM System Journal 36 (1997) 457-463; B. Comiskey et al. Nature 394 (1998) 253-255; WO 1998 / 03 896 A1; WO 1998 / 41 899 A1; WO 2010 / 064 165 A1; WO 2009 / 053 890 A2 and EP 1 601 030 A2.

[0006] Such electrically switchable mirror layers are only known to be used with a constant emission from the surface light source when switching electrically using pulse-width modulation (PWM) or pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) methods. Furthermore, in PWM and PFM methods, the reflection or transmission of the electrically switchable mirror layers is also determined by and dependent on the change in the coupling of light from the surface light source.

[0007] The object of the invention is to operate a light-emitting assembly in such a way that the appearance of the light-emitting assembly, for example with regard to its transparency, is independent of the emitted light, for example the emission behavior of the light-emitting assembly.

[0008] This makes it possible, for example, to simultaneously and independently change or adjust the reflection and / or transmission of a transparent surface light source and the emission behavior with respect to the front and back of a bidirectional light-emitting surface light source.

[0009] The problem is solved by a method for operating a light-emitting assembly according to claim 1.

[0010] The light-emitting assembly comprises: a light-emitting component with a first principal emission direction and a second principal emission direction, wherein the first principal emission direction is different from the second principal emission direction and wherein the light-emitting component is essentially transparent.Furthermore, the light-emitting assembly comprises at least one electro-optic component arranged in the beam path of the first principal emission direction or the second principal emission direction, wherein the electro-optic component is configured such that, with respect to the light that can be emitted by the light-emitting component, it has at least one first state with a first reflectivity and a second state with a second reflectivity, and the reflectivity can be changed from the first reflectivity to the second reflectivity by electrically controlling the electro-optic component, wherein the second reflectivity is higher than the first reflectivity.The method comprises: controlling the light-emitting component with a first electrical energy, wherein the first electrical energy has a temporal profile with a plurality of energy pulses, and controlling the at least one electro-optical component with a second electrical energy, wherein the second electrical energy has a temporal profile with a plurality of energy pulses, wherein the temporal profile of the first electrical energy and the temporal profile of the second electrical energy are coordinated such that the transparency of the light-emitting assembly is essentially constant when the ratio of the light emitted in the main emission directions is changed.

[0011] The at least one electro-optical component, for example an electrically switchable mirror, and the light-emitting component, which can emit, for example, white light or monochromatic light, can be individually modulated, for example by means of pulse-width modulation (PWM) or pulse-frequency modulation (PFM). By independently modulating the control of the at least one electro-optical component in combination with the modulation of the control of the light-emitting component, for example in the form of a surface light source, at least one visible property of the light-emitting component, for example its transparency or reflectance, can be adjusted independently of changes in the emission direction and the illuminance of the light-emitting component.Additionally, the intensity and / or radiation pattern of the light emitted by the light-emitting component can be modified, for example, by changing the amplitude, pulse width, and / or duty cycle in the control signal of the light-emitting component, such as by adjusting the operating current or voltage (i.e., the second electrical energy) of the light-emitting component. This means that, by means of coordinated control signals for the electro-optical component and the light-emitting component, for example, using pulse-width modulation and / or pulse-frequency modulation, the radiation direction of the light-emitting component can be adjusted independently of its transmission. The intensity of the radiation is controlled, for example, by varying the amplitude of the energy pulses in the control signal of the light-emitting component.

[0012] In various advanced versions, the method thus enables independent control of at least one optical property of the light-emitting assembly, for example, its reflectivity or transparency; the direction of emission of the light, i.e., the distribution of the proportions of the total emitted light across the at least two principal emission directions; and the brightness or intensity of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly. This allows for electrical adjustment of the emission characteristics of the light-emitting assembly independently of its transparency.

[0013] The light-emitting component and the at least one electro-optical component are controlled in such a way that the light-emitting assembly has a predetermined transparency that can be electrically adjusted.

[0014] This allows, for example, the light-emitting assembly to be easily switched between a transparent state and an opaque state using electrical switching.

[0015] According to a further development, the light-emitting component and the at least one electro-optical component are controlled in such a way that the ratio of the light emitted by the light-emitting component in the first principal emission direction to the light emitted in the second principal emission direction is electrically adjustable.

[0016] For example, a portion of the light emitted by the light-emitting component in the first principal emission direction is deflected by the electro-optical component into the second principal emission direction. This allows for a change in the emission characteristics. For example, a light-emitting assembly with a bidirectional light-emitting component can be controlled such that light is emitted only in one principal emission direction, i.e., unidirectionally. Alternatively, a light-emitting assembly with an asymmetric light-emitting component, i.e., a light-emitting component that emits, for example, 40% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component in the first principal emission direction and the other 60% of the total emitted light in the second principal emission direction, can be controlled such that the light-emitting assembly emits light essentially symmetrically.Light is emitted uniformly or evenly distributed in the main emission directions.

[0017] According to a further education, the electro-optical component is essentially transparent in the first state and essentially non-transparent in the second state.

[0018] A relatively large transparency contrast, for example greater than at least 10%, which is realized, for example, by means of the essentially transparent state and the essentially non-transparent state, enables a simple coordination of the controls of the light-emitting component and the electro-optical component.

[0019] According to a further development, the light-emitting assembly has the electro-optic component in the beam path of the first principal emission direction and at least one further electro-optic component in the beam path of the second principal emission direction, wherein the at least one further electro-optic component is configured such that, with respect to the light that can be emitted by the light-emitting component, it has at least a third state with a third reflectivity and a fourth state with a fourth reflectivity, and the reflectivity can be changed from the third reflectivity to the fourth reflectivity by electrically controlling the at least one further electro-optic component, wherein the fourth reflectivity is higher than the third reflectivity;and wherein at least one further electro-optical component is driven with a third electrical energy, wherein the third electrical energy has a temporal profile with a plurality of energy pulses, wherein the temporal profile of the first electrical energy, the temporal profile of the second electrical energy and the temporal profile of the third electrical energy are coordinated such that the transparency of the light-emitting assembly is essentially constant when the ratio of the light emitted in the main emission directions is changed.

[0020] This makes it easy to realize complex emission characteristics and optical properties of the light-emitting assembly.

[0021] According to further training, at least one other electro-optical component is essentially transparent in the third state and essentially non-transparent in the fourth state.

[0022] A relatively large transparency contrast, for example greater than at least 10%, which is realized, for example, by means of the essentially transparent state and the essentially non-transparent state, enables a simple coordination of the controls of the light-emitting component and the electro-optical component.

[0023] According to a further development, the light-emitting component and the at least one electro-optical component are controlled in such a way that the light emitted in the first principal emission direction or the light emitted in the second principal emission direction has at least one light pulse or flash of light, or is emitted as such.

[0024] According to a further development, the light-emitting component is designed such that the total light that can be emitted by the light-emitting component essentially comprises a first component and a second component, wherein the first component comprises the light that can be emitted from the first principal emission direction, for example essentially, and the second component comprises the light that can be emitted from the second principal emission direction, for example essentially, wherein the light of the first component differs from the light of the second component in at least one property, for example in intensity.

[0025] According to a further development, the intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting assembly can be electrically adjusted in at least one main emission direction by controlling at least one electro-optical component.

[0026] According to a further development, at least one electro-optical component is controlled in such a way that, with respect to the light emitted by the light-emitting assembly, the intensity of the light of the first principal emission direction is approximately equal to the intensity of the light of the second principal emission direction.

[0027] According to a further development, at least one electro-optical component is controlled in such a way that, with respect to the light emitted by the light-emitting assembly, essentially all of the light is emitted in only the first principal emission direction or the second principal emission direction.

[0028] According to further training, the main emission direction, in which essentially all the light is emitted, can be electrically adjusted by controlling the electro-optical component, for example by selecting from the main emission directions.

[0029] According to further training, the light-emitting component is designed as a component that emits at least bidirectional light, for example an omnidirectional light-emitting component with more than two main emission directions.

[0030] According to further training, the light-emitting assembly is operated as a surface light source.

[0031] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures and are explained in more detail below.

[0032] They show: Fig. 1A a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a light-emitting assembly; Fig. 1B a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a light-emitting assembly; Fig. 2A, B schematic cross-sectional views of a light-emitting assembly in different operating states of a method for operating the light-emitting assembly according to various further developments, Fig. 3 a schematic cross-sectional view of a light-emitting component of a light-emitting assembly according to various further developments; Fig. Four diagrams illustrate the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. 5 diagrams illustrating the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. Six diagrams illustrate the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. 7 diagrams illustrating the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. 8 diagrams illustrating the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. 9 diagrams illustrating the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. 10 diagrams illustrating the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. 11 diagrams illustrating the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. 12 diagrams illustrating the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. 13 diagrams illustrating the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. 14 diagrams illustrating the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. 15 diagrams illustrating the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. 16 diagrams illustrating the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. 17 diagrams illustrating the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. 18 diagrams illustrating the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. 19 diagrams illustrating the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. 20 diagrams illustrating the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. 21 diagrams illustrating the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. 22 diagrams illustrating the procedure for operating a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced training courses; Fig. 23 a schematic application example of the method for operating the light-emitting assembly; and Fig. 24A, B schematic representations of light-emitting assemblies with a control device for operating the light-emitting component and the at least one electro-optical component.

[0033] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this description and in which specific embodiments of the invention are shown for illustrative purposes. In this respect, directional terminology such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "anterior," "rear," etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the described figure(s). Since components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology serves for illustrative purposes and is in no way restrictive.

[0034] Within the scope of this description, the terms "connected," "attached," and "coupled" are used to describe both direct and indirect connections, direct or indirect links, and direct or indirect couplings. In the figures, identical or similar elements are labeled with identical reference symbols where appropriate.

[0035] A light-emitting assembly can contain one, two, or more light-emitting components. Optionally, a light-emitting assembly can also contain one, two, or more electronic components. An electronic component can, for example, be an active and / or a passive component. An active electronic component can, for example, be a computing, control, and / or regulating unit and / or a transistor. A passive electronic component can, for example, be a capacitor, a resistor, a diode, or an inductor.

[0036] A light-emitting component can be an electromagnetic radiation-emitting component. An electromagnetic radiation-emitting component can, in various further developments, be an electromagnetic radiation-emitting semiconductor component and / or be designed as an electromagnetic radiation-emitting diode, an organic electromagnetic radiation-emitting diode, an electromagnetic radiation-emitting transistor, or an organic electromagnetic radiation-emitting transistor.

[0037] The light-emitting component has at least one first optically active surface and one second optically active surface. Light is emitted from the first optically active surface in the first principal emission direction, and light is emitted from the second optically active surface in the second principal emission direction. During a first operating time, the light-emitting component emits light in the first principal emission direction and in the second emission direction with a first ratio. This ratio is the ratio of the proportion of light emitted in the first principal emission direction to the proportion of light emitted in the second principal emission direction to the total light emitted by the light-emitting component.During a second operating period, the light-emitting assembly emits light in the first principal emission direction and in the second principal emission direction at a different ratio. The light-emitting assembly exhibits essentially the same transparency during the first operating period as during the second. An operating period can include a multitude of light pulses in the first principal emission direction and / or the second principal emission direction. It is also possible that no light is emitted in the first principal emission direction and / or the second principal emission direction during an operating period.

[0038] The radiation can be, for example, visible light, ultraviolet light, and / or infrared light. In this context, the electromagnetic radiation-emitting component can be, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a light-emitting transistor, or an organic light-emitting transistor. The light-emitting component can be part of an integrated circuit in various configurations. Furthermore, multiple light-emitting components can be used, for example, housed in a common package.

[0039] The terms "translucent" and "translucent layer" can be interpreted in various ways to mean that a layer is permeable to light, for example, to the light generated by the light-emitting component, for example, to one or more wavelength ranges, such as light in a wavelength range of visible light (for example, at least in a subrange of the wavelength range from 380 nm to 780 nm). For example, in some interpretations, the term "translucent layer" can mean that essentially all the light coupled into a structure (for example, a layer) is also coupled out of the structure (for example, the layer), although some of the light may be scattered in the process.

[0040] The term "transparent" or "transparent layer" can be understood in various further education contexts as meaning that a layer is permeable to light (for example, at least in a sub-range of the wavelength range from 380 nm to 780 nm), whereby light coupled into a structure (for example, a layer) is also coupled out of the structure (for example, layer) essentially without scattering or light conversion.

[0041] The transparency of the light-emitting assembly is essentially constant with respect to a time-averaged transparency. This means that, due to the persistence of vision, the transparency can appear constant to the human eye. However, during operation of the light-emitting assembly, there may be periods in which no light is emitted in the first principal emission direction and / or the second principal emission direction, and / or the light-emitting assembly is essentially opaque.

[0042] Essentially transparent in this context means, for example, that at least approximately 50% of the visible light incident on the light-emitting assembly is transmitted through the light-emitting assembly, for example at least 60%, for example at least 70%, for example at least 80%, for example at least 90%, for example at least 95%, for example at least 98%, for example at least 99%.

[0043] Essentially non-transparent in this context means, for example, that at least approximately 50% of the visible light incident on the light-emitting assembly is not transmitted through the light-emitting assembly, for example, is absorbed or reflected, for example, at least 60%, for example, at least 70%, for example, at least 80%, for example, at least 90%, for example, at least 95%, for example, at least 98%, for example, at least 99%.

[0044] The duty cycle (MUX) indicates the ratio of optically inactive time to optically active time within a control interval. For example, an optically active structure with a duty cycle of 2 (MUX = 2) is optically inactive (unpowered) for 50% of the control interval time and emits electromagnetic radiation for the remaining 50% of the control interval time.

[0045] Fig. 1A and Fig. Figure 1B shows exemplary embodiments of a light-emitting assembly 100, 130 according to various further developments.

[0046] The light-emitting assembly 100, 130 comprises at least one light-emitting component 120 and at least one electro-optical component 110, illustrated for example in Fig. 1A.

[0047] The light-emitting component 120 has at least one first optically active surface and one second optically active surface from which light can be emitted. The light emitted from the first optically active surface is emitted in the first principal emission direction 102. The light emitted from the second optically active surface is emitted in the second principal emission direction 104.

[0048] The light-emitting assembly 100 can have a first principal emission direction 106 and a second principal emission direction 108. The first principal emission direction 106 of the light-emitting assembly 100 can coincide with the first principal emission direction 102 of the light-emitting component 120, and the second principal emission direction 108 of the light-emitting assembly 100 can coincide with the second principal emission direction 104 of the light-emitting component 120.

[0049] In various embodiments, the light-emitting assembly 100, 130 comprises at least one electro-optic component 110 in at least one of the beam paths of the principal emission directions 102, 104 of the light-emitting component 120. In various embodiments, the light-emitting assembly 130 comprises one electro-optic component 110-1, hereinafter also referred to as the first electro-optic component 110-1, and at least one further electro-optic component 110-2, hereinafter also referred to as the second electro-optic component 110-2.

[0050] In various advanced training programs, at least one electro-optical component 110 and at least one light-emitting component 120 are designed to be controllable by means of pulse width modulation and / or pulse frequency modulation. For example, the electro-optical component 110 and / or the light-emitting component 120 can be electrically operated by means of a direct voltage and / or a direct current. That is, the electro-optical component 110 and / or the light-emitting component 120 are each supplied with electrical energy with a temporal profile consisting of energy pulses, whereby the pulses have a pulse width and the temporal profile can exhibit the energy pulses with a frequency, and an electrical voltage can be applied across the electro-optical component 110 and / or the light-emitting component 120, as described in more detail below.

[0051] In various training courses, the intensity or brightness of the light emitted by the light-emitting component 120 can be adjusted via the height of the energy pulse or the duty cycle of the energy pulses.

[0052] In various advanced training courses, the light-emitting component 120 is controlled independently of the at least one electro-optical component 110; for example, the light-emitting component 120 is operated in a DC mode. This allows the intensity of the emitted light to be adjusted for a specific transmittance and reflectivity of the light-emitting assembly 100.

[0053] The light-emitting assembly 100, 130 is controlled in various further developments in such a way that the light-emitting assembly 100 has an essentially constant optical appearance, for example an essentially constant transparency, irrespective of a change in the intensity or emission characteristic of the emitted light.

[0054] In various training courses, the light-emitting component 120 is generally a light-emitting component or has one, for example, a light-emitting diode, an organic light-emitting diode, an organic light-emitting diode that couples light laterally into the substrate (also referred to as a side-coupled LED / OLED), a fluorescent tube, an incandescent lamp, a compact fluorescent lamp. An organic light-emitting component 120 as an example of a light-emitting component is described in more detail below.

[0055] Inorganic light-emitting diodes can, in principle, emit light of different colors. This means that light of different colors can be emitted in different directions, or light of the same color can be emitted in different directions, i.e., without mixing.

[0056] In various advanced training programs, at least one first electro-optical component 110, 110-1 is arranged in the beam path of the first principal emission direction 102 of the light-emitting component 120, for example illustrated in Fig. 1A, B.

[0057] In various advanced training programs, at least one second electro-optical component 110-2 is arranged in the beam path of the second principal emission direction 104 of the light-emitting component 120, for example illustrated in Fig. 1B.

[0058] In various further developments, at least one first electro-optic component 110-1 is arranged in the beam path of the first principal emission direction 102 of the light-emitting component 120, and at least one second electro-optic component 110-2 is arranged in the beam path of the second principal emission direction 104 of the light-emitting component 120, for example illustrated in Fig. 1B.

[0059] In various further developments, at least two electro-optical components 110 are arranged in the beam path of the first principal emission direction 102 or in the beam path of the second principal emission direction 104 of the light-emitting component 120.

[0060] In various advanced training courses, an electro-optical component 110 exhibits at least one electrically switchable optical property, for example, electrically switchable reflective, colored, matte, silvery and / or diffuse.

[0061] In various advanced training courses, at least one of the electro-optical components 110 is designed as an electrically switchable mirror, which is described in more detail below.

[0062] The at least one electro-optic component 110 is designed in various embodiments such that at least one optical property of the electro-optic component 110 can be changed by applying a control signal to it, for example, the transmission, absorption, and / or reflection of electromagnetic radiation through / in / from the electro-optic component 110. The at least one changeable optical property can, for example, be changed in a range from 0% (no change) to 100% (complete change).

[0063] A control signal can, for example, be a change in the voltage applied to the electro-optical component 110 or a change in the current through the electro-optical component 110, as described in more detail below.

[0064] In various advanced trainings, an electro-optic component 110, 110-n (with n as a natural number to denote several electro-optic components) can be designed such that the optical properties of the electro-optic component change abruptly, i.e. instantaneously, discontinuously, when a control signal is applied to the electro-optic component.

[0065] In various advanced training processes, an electro-optic component 110, 110-n can be designed in such a way that the optical properties of the electro-optic component change continuously, i.e., smoothly, steadily, when a control signal is applied to the electro-optic component.

[0066] In various advanced training courses, an electro-optical component 110, 110-n is designed as a colored, matte, silver and / or diffuse electrically switchable structure.

[0067] In various advanced training courses, an electro-optical component 110, 110-n is configured as an electrically switchable mirror with tunable reflectivity. In these different advanced training courses, the tuning of the reflectivity is achieved electrochromically-electrically, gasochromically, or thermochromically.

[0068] An electro-optical component 110,110-n, which is designed as an electrically switchable mirror with tunable reflectivity, can be designed as described, for example, in DE10031294A1; DE102007022090A1.

[0069] An electro-optical component 110,110-n, configured as an electrically switchable aperture with tunable transmission or an electrically switchable filter with tunable absorption, can be configured as described, for example, in: J. Jacobsen et al., IBM System Journal 36 (1997) 457-463; B. Comiskey et al., Nature 394 (1998) 253-255; WO199803896A1; WO199841899A1; WO2010064165A1; WO2009053890A2; EP1601030A2.

[0070] In various advanced training processes, an electro-optic component 110, 110-n can be designed as a film and adhered to or over a light-emitting component 120. In various advanced training processes, the adhesive for adhering an electro-optic component 110 to the light-emitting component 120 is also configured as an output coupling layer for coupling light out of the light-emitting component 120.

[0071] In various advanced training courses, the light-emitting assembly 100 can have at least one, for example several, optically functional structure(s) in the beam path of the first principal emission direction 106 and / or in the beam path of the second principal emission direction 108, as described in more detail below.

[0072] In various advanced training programs, a static, optically functional structure and / or a self-regulating, optically functional structure can be provided in the beam path of the first principal emission direction 102, 106 and / or the second principal emission direction 104, 108 of the light-emitting component 120 and / or the light-emitting assembly 100, 130. An optically functional structure is, for example, an output coupling layer that can increase the proportion of light that can be coupled out of the light-emitting component 120.

[0073] In various advanced training courses, optically functional structures such as diffusing layers, effect films, glitter films, colored films, transparent films or opaque films with, for example, image information such as a pictogram, an idiogram, an ideogram, a lettering, a signature, a watermark; electrochromic layers, photochromic layers and / or a display may also be provided, either in addition to or instead of the output layer(s).

[0074] In other words, a method for operating a light-emitting assembly is provided in various further training modules, which are described in more detail below. The light-emitting assembly comprises: a light-emitting component 120 with a first principal emission direction 102 and a second principal emission direction 104, wherein the first principal emission direction 102 is different from the second principal emission direction 104, and wherein the light-emitting component 120 is essentially transparent.Furthermore, the light-emitting assembly has at least one electro-optic component 110 which is arranged in the beam path of the first principal emission direction 102 or the second principal emission direction 104, wherein the electro-optic component 110 is configured such that, with respect to the light that can be emitted by the light-emitting component 120, it has at least one first state with a first reflectivity and a second state with a second reflectivity, and the reflectivity can be changed from the first reflectivity to the second reflectivity by electrically controlling the electro-optic component 110, wherein the second reflectivity is higher than the first reflectivity.The method comprises: controlling the light-emitting component 120 with a first electrical energy, wherein the first electrical energy has a temporal profile with a plurality of energy pulses, and controlling the at least one electro-optic component 110 with a second electrical energy, wherein the second electrical energy has a temporal profile with a plurality of energy pulses, wherein the temporal profile of the first electrical energy and the temporal profile of the second electrical energy are coordinated such that the transparency of the light-emitting assembly 100, 130 is essentially constant when the ratio of the light emitted in the main emission directions is changed.

[0075] In various advanced training courses, the light-emitting component 120 and the at least one electro-optical component 110 are controlled in such a way that the light-emitting assembly 100, 130 has a predetermined transparency that can be electrically adjusted.

[0076] In various advanced training courses, the light-emitting component 120 and the at least one electro-optical component 110 are controlled in such a way that the ratio of the light emitted by the light-emitting component 120 in the first principal emission direction to the light emitted in the second principal emission direction is electrically adjustable.

[0077] In various advanced training courses, the electro-optical component 110 is essentially transparent in the first state and essentially non-transparent in the second state.

[0078] In various further developments, the light-emitting assembly 130 has the electro-optic component 110-1 in the beam path of the first principal emission direction 102 and at least one further electro-optic component 110-2 in the beam path of the second principal emission direction 104, wherein the at least one further electro-optic component 110-2 is arranged such that, with respect to the light that can be emitted by the light-emitting component 120, it has at least a third state with a third reflectivity and a fourth state with a fourth reflectivity, and the reflectivity can be changed from the third reflectivity to the fourth reflectivity by means of an electrical control of the at least one further electro-optic component, wherein the fourth reflectivity is higher than the third reflectivity;and wherein at least one further electro-optical component 110-2 is driven with a third electrical energy, wherein the third electrical energy has a temporal profile with a plurality of energy pulses, wherein the temporal profile of the first electrical energy, the temporal profile of the second electrical energy and the temporal profile of the third electrical energy are or become coordinated with each other such that the transparency of the light-emitting assembly 130 is essentially constant when the ratio of the light emitted in the main emission directions is changed.

[0079] In various advanced training courses, at least one further electro-optical component 110-2 is essentially transparent in the third state and essentially non-transparent in the fourth state.

[0080] In various advanced training processes, the light-emitting component 120 and the at least one electro-optical component 110, 110-1 are controlled in such a way that the light emitted in the first principal emission direction or the light emitted in the second principal emission direction has at least one light pulse or flash of light or is emitted as such.

[0081] In various further developments, the light-emitting component 120 is designed such that the total light that can be emitted by the light-emitting component 120 essentially has a first component and a second component, wherein the first component has the light that can be emitted from the first principal emission direction 102, and the second component has the light that can be emitted from the second principal emission direction 104, wherein the light of the first component differs from the light of the second component in at least one property, for example in intensity.

[0082] In various advanced training courses, the intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting assembly 100, 130 in at least one main emission direction can be electrically adjusted by controlling at least one electro-optical component 110.

[0083] In various further trainings, at least one electro-optical component 110 is controlled in such a way that, with respect to the light emitted by the light-emitting assembly 100, 130, the intensity of the light of the first principal emission direction is approximately equal to the intensity of the light of the second principal emission direction.

[0084] In various further developments, at least one electro-optical component 110 is controlled in such a way that, with respect to the light emitted by the light-emitting assembly 110, 130, essentially all of the light is emitted in only the first principal emission direction or the second principal emission direction of the light-emitting assembly.

[0085] In various advanced training courses, the main emission direction of the light-emitting assembly, into which essentially all the light is emitted, can be electrically adjusted by controlling the electro-optical component 110.

[0086] In various training courses, the light-emitting component 120 is configured as a component that emits light at least bidirectionally.

[0087] In various training courses, the light-emitting module 100, 130 is operated as a surface light source.

[0088] Fig. Figures 2A and B are schematic cross-sectional views of a light-emitting assembly in different switching states, where the light-emitting assembly is essentially one of the components shown in Fig. 1A, B illustrated light-emitting assembly. Fig. Figures 2A and B illustrate the adjustment of the intensity of the emitted light at different transmittivities or reflectivities and emission characteristics of the light-emitting assembly 100, 130.

[0089] In Fig. 2A, the at least one electro-optical component and the at least one light-emitting component of the light-emitting assembly 100, 130 are controlled such that the light-emitting assembly 100, 130 has a transparency or transmission of light through the light-emitting assembly 100, 130 of approximately 50% and in Fig. 2B is controlled such that the light-emitting assembly 100, 130 has a transparency of approximately 0%, i.e., it is opaque. In Fig. Figures 2A and 2B illustrate different control methods for the electro-optical component and the light-emitting component of the light-emitting assembly, whereby the light-emitting assembly 100 exhibits a substantially constant optical appearance in each case, for example, a substantially constant transparency, regardless of changes in the intensity or emission characteristics of the emitted light. Further developments in coordinating the control of the electro-optical component with the control of the light-emitting component are illustrated in more detail in the following figures.

[0090] In a first switching state 220, 230, the control of the at least one electro-optical component and the control of the light-emitting component are coordinated in such a way that the light emitted in total by the light-emitting assembly 100, 130 is essentially only emitted in the first principal emission direction (illustrated by means of the arrow 202 or 242).

[0091] In a second switching state 222, 232, the control of the at least one electro-optical component and the control of the light-emitting component are coordinated such that approximately 25% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly 100, 130 is emitted in the second principal emission direction (illustrated by arrow 204, 244) and approximately 75% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly 100, 130 is emitted in the first principal emission direction (illustrated by arrow 206, 246). The different intensities are shown in the Fig. 2A, B illustrated by means of arrows of different lengths.

[0092] In a third switching state 224, 234, the control of the at least one electro-optical component and the control of the light-emitting component are coordinated such that approximately 50% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly 100, 130 is emitted in the second principal emission direction (illustrated by arrow 208, 248) and approximately 50% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly 100, 130 is emitted in the first principal emission direction (illustrated by arrow 210, 250).

[0093] In a fourth switching state 226, 236, the control of the at least one electro-optical component and the control of the light-emitting component are coordinated such that approximately 75% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly 100, 130 is emitted in the second principal emission direction (illustrated by arrow 212, 252) and approximately 25% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly 100, 130 is emitted in the first principal emission direction (illustrated by arrow 214, 254).

[0094] In a fifth switching state 228, 238, the control of the at least one electro-optical component and the control of the light-emitting component are coordinated in such a way that the light emitted in total by the light-emitting assembly 100, 130 is essentially emitted only in the second principal emission direction (illustrated by means of the arrow 216 or 256).

[0095] The described switching states of the light-emitting assembly 100, 130 illustrate that the emission characteristic of the light-emitting assembly is adjustable while maintaining essentially constant transparency. The transparency of the light-emitting assembly itself is, however, adjustable (see Figure 1). Fig. 2A with Fig. 2B).

[0096] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates a more detailed schematic cross-sectional view of a light-emitting component 120 of a light-emitting assembly, which may essentially correspond to one of the light-emitting assemblies illustrated above.

[0097] In various further trainings, the light-emitting component 120 has: at least a support 302, a first electrode layer 304, an organically functional layer structure 306 and a second electrode layer 308.

[0098] The first electrode layer 304 is formed on the substrate 302. The first electrode layer 304 can cover a substantial portion of the substrate 302.

[0099] The organic functional layer structure 306 is formed on the first electrode layer 304. The organic functional layer structure 306 is physically and electrically connected to the first electrode layer 304. The organic functional layer structure 306 can cover a substantial area of ​​the first electrode layer 304, except for a contact area of ​​the light-emitting component 120.

[0100] The second electrode layer 308 is formed on the organic functional layer structure 306. The second electrode layer 308 can cover a substantial portion of the organic functional layer structure 306. Furthermore, the second electrode layer 308 can be partially in direct contact with the support 302, for example, in a contact area of ​​the light-emitting component 120. The second electrode layer 308 is physically and electrically connected to the organic functional layer structure 306.

[0101] The second electrode layer 308 is electrically insulated from the first electrode layer 304 and arranged at a distance from it. The organically functional layer structure 306 is electrically connected to the first electrode layer 304 and the second electrode layer 308, and is arranged in a sandwich-like manner between the first electrode layer 304 and the second electrode layer 308.

[0102] The organic functional layer structure 306 of the light-emitting device 120 is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation from electrical energy supplied by the electrode layer 304, 308. The organic functional layer structure 306, for example, has at least one light-emitting layer, also referred to as an emitter layer.

[0103] The light-emitting component 120 is designed to be bidirectional or omnidirectional, i.e. the light generated in the emitter layer is emitted through the electrode layers 304, 308.

[0104] The carrier 302, according to various further developments described above, is designed, for example, as a film or a sheet. Alternatively or additionally, the carrier 302 comprises or is formed from glass or plastic. The carrier 302 can be electrically conductive, for example, as a metal foil or a glass or plastic substrate 106 with a conductor structure. The carrier 302 comprises or is formed from glass, quartz, and / or a semiconductor material. Alternatively or additionally, the carrier 302 comprises or is formed from a plastic film or a laminate with one or more plastic films. The carrier 302 can be transparent.

[0105] In various advanced training programs, the carrier 302 is designed to be mechanically flexible, for example, bendable, kinkable, or formable. For instance, the carrier 302 is configured as a film or a sheet. Alternatively or additionally, the carrier 302 has at least one mechanically rigid, non-flexible area.

[0106] The first electrode layer 304 and / or the second electrode layer 308 can be electrically connected to an electrically conductive support 302.

[0107] The first electrode layer 304 is transparent with respect to the light emitted by the organic functional layer structure 306, for example, made of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO), such as metal oxides: for example, zinc oxide, tin oxide, cadmium oxide, titanium oxide, indium oxide, or indium tin oxide (ITO). Alternatively or additionally, the first electrode layer 304 has a thin metal layer. The thickness of the first electrode layer 304 ranges from a monolayer to 500 nm, for example, from less than 25 nm to 250 nm, or from 50 nm to 100 nm.

[0108] In various further developments, the organic functional layer structure 306 comprises (for example, at least) a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an emitter layer, an electron transport layer, and an electron injection layer. The layers of the organic functional layer structure 306 can be arranged between the electrode layers 304 and 308 such that, during operation, electrical charge carriers can flow from the first electrode layer 304 through the organic functional layer structure 306 into the second electrode layer 308, and vice versa.

[0109] The second electrode layer 308 is transparent with respect to the light emitted by the emitter layer of the organic functional layer structure 306, for example according to one of the described further developments of the second electrode layer 308.

[0110] The first electrode layer 304 and the second electrode layer 308 can be identical or different.

[0111] Furthermore, the light-emitting component 120 has an encapsulation structure. The encapsulation structure is designed such that the light-emitting component 120 is hermetically sealed with respect to the diffusion of a chemically reactive or solvent substance into the organic functional layer structure 306 through the encapsulation structure. In other words, the organic functional layer structure 306 is hermetically sealed by means of the encapsulation structure with respect to the diffusion of at least one substance that is harmful to the organic functional layer structure 306, for example, water, sulfur, oxygen and / or their compounds.

[0112] In various further developments, the encapsulation structure comprises a barrier thin layer 318, an output coupling layer, a connecting layer 322, a getter, and / or a cover 324. The encapsulation structure surrounds the first electrode layer 304, the organic functional layer structure 306, and the second electrode layer 308.

[0113] The barrier thin film 318 comprises or is formed from one of the following materials: aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, hafnium oxide, tantalum oxide, lanthanum oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, aluminum-doped zinc oxide, poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide), nylon 66, as well as mixtures and alloys thereof.

[0114] The bonding layer 322 is formed from an adhesive or a varnish, for example a resin or similar.

[0115] The getter layer contains a material that absorbs and binds substances harmful to the electrically active area, such as water vapor and / or oxygen. For example, a getter might contain a zeolite derivative or be composed of one.

[0116] The cover 324 is formed or arranged on or above the bonding layer 322. The cover 324 is connected to the second electrode layer 308 via the bonding layer 322 and protects the first electrode layer 304, the organic functional layer structure 306, and the second electrode layer 308 from harmful substances and / or mechanical damage. The cover 324 is, for example, a glass cover, a metal foil cover, or a sealed plastic film cover. The glass cover is, for example, connected by a glass frit bond (glass soldering / seal glass bonding) using a conventional glass solder in the geometric edge regions of the organic light-emitting device.

[0117] Furthermore, contact surfaces 314, 316 are provided by means of which the light-emitting component 120 can be connected to an external electrical power source, for example, a control device, as described in more detail below. The contact surfaces 314, 316 are arranged outside the encapsulation structure and are electrically connected to the electrode layers 108, 116 by the encapsulation structure, for example, by means of electrically conductive and electrically conductive interconnect layers. The electrically conductive interconnect layers have, for example, a layer sequence, such as: Mo / Al / Mo; Cr / Al / Cr or Ag / Mg; or are formed from a single layer, for example, Al.

[0118] An initial electrical potential can be applied to the first contact surface 316, which is connected to the first electrode layer 304. This initial electrical potential is provided by an external electrical energy source, such as a current source or a voltage source, for example, in the form of energy pulses. The initial electrical potential could be, for example, the ground potential or another predefined reference potential.

[0119] A second electrical potential can be applied to the second contact surface 314, which is connected to the second electrode layer 308. The second electrical potential is provided by the same or a different external electrical energy source as the first electrical potential. The second electrical potential differs from the first electrical potential. For example, the second electrical potential has a value such that the difference from the first electrical potential is in the range of approximately 1.5 V to approximately 20 V, for example, a value in the range of approximately 2.5 V to approximately 15 V, for example, a value in the range of approximately 3 V to approximately 12 V.

[0120] In various advanced training courses, individual electrically conductive layers, which are not intended to have direct physical contact but are intended to be indirectly electrically connected to each other, are physically separated from each other by means of an electrical insulating structure 312. The insulating structure 312, for example, has a resist or is formed from one, for example, a polyimide.

[0121] Fig. Figure 4 illustrates the control of a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced versions. The light-emitting assembly essentially corresponds to the light-emitting assembly of the Fig. 1A.

[0122] In a first diagram, 400 in Fig. Diagram 4 illustrates the control of the electro-optical component, and a second diagram 410 illustrates the control of the light-emitting component of a light-emitting assembly.

[0123] The electro-optical component and the light-emitting component are each controlled by pulses (in Fig. Figure 4 illustrates this in diagrams 400 and 410 using pulses 412 and 414. The pulsed control can be implemented, for example, as pulse width modulation (PWM), pulse frequency modulation (PFM), pulse amplitude modulation (PAM), and / or pulse code modulation (PCM), for instance, by means of a control device, as described in more detail below. Due to the persistence of vision of the human eye, individual pulses 412 and 414 of the electro-optical component in the non-transparent state or of the light-emitting component in the optically inactive state are not perceived as pulses at a sufficiently high pulse frequency. Thus, the emission characteristics and the transparency of the light-emitting assembly are adjusted by means of the pulsed control, as also illustrated in the following figures.A pulse of a pulsed control using PWM, PFM, PAM and PCM has an electric current and / or an electric voltage with an amplitude and a duration and can also be referred to as an energy pulse, and vice versa.

[0124] The electro-optic component can be pulsed with a defined duty cycle. The reflectance of the electro-optic component, or light-emitting assembly, can be varied over time by adjusting the duty cycle and switching frequency. The period or switching frequency can be changed, for example, using pulse frequency modulation. The duty cycle can be set, for example, using pulse width modulation. Switching the electro-optic component between a high-transmittance state and a low-transmittance state can be achieved, depending on the specific design of the electro-optic component, by simply turning it on or off. This assumes that the electro-optic component instantaneously responds to the electrical pulses during switching on or off.Furthermore, it is assumed that the eye of an observer does not perceive any switching processes and that no other electrical or optical losses occur.

[0125] To illustrate the operating principle of pulsed control, the effect of pulsed control of the electro-optical component is described below. The electro-optical component is, for example, designed as an electrically tunable mirror (see, for example, the description). Fig. 1) The electro-optic component is therefore also referred to as an electro-optic mirror in the following. The electro-optic component is designed to be essentially transparent in a first state and essentially reflective in a second state; that is, the electro-optic component has a reflectivity of approximately 100% or 1 in the second state and a transmission of approximately 100% or 1 in the first state. An optically inactive electro-optic component (state 2) reflects the incident light essentially 100% in the opposite direction, i.e., back, so that the transparency 402 of the light-emitting assembly is approximately zero. Light incident on the electro-optic component is, for example, essentially 100% reflected back, so that the light-emitting assembly is essentially opaque during the optically inactive switching state.The electro-optical component can be designed to be tunable with respect to reflectivity or transmittance between the first state and the second state by means of pulsed control on a time average.

[0126] For the sake of simplicity, the light-emitting component is considered to have a basic emission of approximately 50% each in the first principal emission direction and in the second principal emission direction with respect to the total light emitted by the light-emitting component. Furthermore, the light emitted in the first principal emission direction and the light emitted in the second principal emission direction have identical properties, such as the same brightness or intensity, the same hue, and the same saturation. That is, 50% of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted in the first principal emission direction of the light-emitting assembly, and the other 50% is emitted in the direction of the second principal emission direction.

[0127] In the first diagram 400, the transparency 402 or transmission 402 of the at least one electro-optic component is illustrated over time 404 during pulsed control. With the pulsed control, the electro-optic component is at least partially transparent at times (transmission 402 greater than 0, illustrated in the first diagram 400 as pulses 412), i.e., the electro-optic component is substantially transparent during pulses 412. Between pulses 412, the electro-optic component is non-transparent (transmission 402 approximately zero).

[0128] By adjusting the duty cycle (in Fig. Figure 4 illustrates that, using arrow 406, the transparency 402 of the electro-optic component can be adjusted over time using pulses 412. In the first diagram 400, for example, the electro-optic component has a transparency 402 of approximately 50% and a reflectivity of approximately 50%. The duty cycle of the electrically switchable mirror being on (reflective) to the electrically switchable mirror being off (transparent) is adjusted using pulse width modulation. The overall frequency change of the switching state of the electrically switchable mirror can be adjusted, for example, using pulse frequency modulation. By controlling the electro-optic component with a duty cycle of 1, the observable reflected component is set to approximately 50%.

[0129] In the second diagram 410, the relative operating voltage 408 for the operation of the light-emitting component with respect to (in Fig. (4 in diagram 410, illustrated as normalization to 1) of an absolute, maximum operating voltage over time 404 of a pulsed control. By means of the pulsed control, the light-emitting device emits light intermittently in at least one principal emission direction (relative operating voltage greater than 0, illustrated in the second diagram 410 as pulses 414), i.e., the light-emitting device is optically active intermittently. Between pulses 414, the light-emitting device is optically inactive (operating voltage 408 approximately zero), i.e., the light-emitting device does not emit light during this time.

[0130] In various advanced training courses, the control mechanisms of the electro-optical component and the light-emitting component are coordinated, in Fig. Figures 4 and subsequent are illustrated by means of a dashed line.

[0131] From diagrams 400, 410 in Fig. 4 shows that the control of the electro-optical component and the light-emitting component has optically different time intervals 416, 418, 420.

[0132] During the first time interval 416, the electro-optical component is optically transparent and the light-emitting component emits light. During the first time interval 416, the light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted in the first principal emission direction and the second principal emission direction of the light-emitting assembly essentially unaffected by the electro-optical component.

[0133] During the second time interval 418, the electro-optical component is optically opaque and the light-emitting component is optically inactive. During the second time interval 418, the transparency of the light-emitting assembly and the intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting assembly are reduced.

[0134] During the third time interval 420, the electro-optical component is optically transparent and the light-emitting component is optically inactive. During the third time interval 420, the intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting assembly is reduced.

[0135] Diagrams 400 and 410, which describe the control process, show that the electro-optical component is essentially transparent when the light-emitting component emits light. This means that the light-emitting component emits light in both main emission directions at approximately 50% each. However, the control process for the electro-optical component also includes periods in which the electro-optical component is essentially opaque while the light-emitting component is optically inactive. This reduces the transparency of the light-emitting component. Therefore, the transparency of the light-emitting component is set, or adjustable, by means of the duty cycle of the electro-optical component.

[0136] The following diagrams illustrate different control methods for a light-emitting assembly. To avoid repetition, identical quantities or properties are labeled with the same reference symbols, and detailed descriptions of known quantities or properties are omitted.

[0137] Fig. Figure 5 illustrates the control of a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced models. The light-emitting assembly essentially corresponds to the light-emitting assembly of the Fig. 4.

[0138] In Fig. 5 is another control illustrated by means of a first diagram 500, which shows the control of the electro-optical component, a second diagram 510, which shows the basic emission of the light-emitting component, a third diagram 520, which shows the transparency of the light-emitting assembly, and a fourth diagram 530, which shows the emission of the light-emitting assembly.

[0139] The first diagram 500 illustrates the transparency 402 of the electro-optical component over time 404.

[0140] The second diagram 510 shows the relative intensity of the basic emission 502 of the light emitted by the light-emitting component in the first principal emission direction 512 and in the second principal emission direction 514 of the light-emitting component over time 404 with respect to the total light emitted by the light-emitting component.

[0141] The third diagram 520 shows the transparency 504 of the light-emitting assembly over time 404, with time intervals or pulses 516 in which the light-emitting assembly is essentially transparent. Between pulses 5516, the light-emitting assembly is essentially opaque.

[0142] The fourth diagram 530 shows the relative intensity of the emission 506 of the light emitted by the light-emitting assembly in the first principal emission direction 518 and in the second principal emission direction 522 of the light-emitting assembly over time 404 with respect to the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly.

[0143] In Fig. 6 to Fig. 22 are further control options, for example for implementing a control according to the Fig. 2, with diagrams shown analogously to Fig. Figure 5 illustrates this. To avoid repetition, please refer to the description of the diagrams shown. Fig. 5 referred to. The properties of the light-emitting assembly of the controls of the Fig. 5-14 and Fig. 16-20 are summarized in the following Table 1 for illustration. Table 1: FIG. Transmission Durchschnitt Durchschnitt Abstrahlung oben Durchschnitt Abstrahlung unten Abstrahlverhältnis oben / unten 5 50,0 30,0 20,0 1,50 6 50,0 0 50,0 0 7 50,0 30,0 70,0 0,43 8 33,3 20,0 33,3 0,60 9 33,3 20,0 80,0 0,25 10 33,3 20,0 13,3 1,50 11 66,6 40,0 26,6 1,50 12 66,6 20,0 13,3 1,50 13 33,3 0,6 33,9 0,02 14 99,0 0, 6 99,4 0,01 16 0 50,0 50,0 1,00 17 50,0 30,0 20,0 1,50 18 25,0 40,0 35,0 1,14 19 50,0 50,0 50,0 1,00 20 99,0 59,4 40,6 1,46

[0144] From the diagrams 500, 510, 520, 530 of the Fig. The six illustrated control diagrams show that in the switching state of the electro-optic component with high reflectivity, approximately 0% of the incident light is transmitted, and in the switching state of the electro-optic component with low reflectivity, approximately 100% of the incident light is transmitted. By controlling the electro-optic component, approximately 50% of the incident light is transmitted on average over time. The light-emitting component is controlled, for example, such that between approximately 0% and approximately 60%, on average approximately 30%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted upwards, that is, through the second electrode layer.This means that between approximately 0% and approximately 40%, on average for example approximately 20%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted downwards, that is, through the first electrode layer or the substrate.

[0145] Out of Fig. 6 It is also evident that, by means of the coordinated control of the at least one electro-optical component and the light-emitting component, different emission ratios of the light emitted by the light-emitting component can be achieved with the same or constant transparency of the light-emitting component on average over time.

[0146] From the diagrams 500, 510, 520, 530 of the Fig. As illustrated in the seven diagrams, approximately 0% of the incident light is transmitted when the electro-optic component with high reflectivity is switched on, and approximately 100% is transmitted when the electro-optic component with low reflectivity is switched on. By controlling the electro-optic component, approximately 50% of the incident light is transmitted on average over time. The light-emitting component is controlled, for example, such that between approximately 0% and approximately 60%, with an average of approximately 30%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted upwards. This means that between approximately 40% and approximately 100%, with an average of approximately 70%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted downwards.

[0147] Furthermore, the third diagram 530 shows that, by means of different pulse widths of pulses 412 controlling the electro-optic component to pulses 512 and 514 controlling the light-emitting component, a portion of the emitted light, for example from the second principal emission direction, is deflected by the electro-optic component into the first principal emission direction, as illustrated in Fig. 7 in the third diagram 530 as Pulse 702.

[0148] From the diagrams 500, 510, 520, 530 of the Fig. As illustrated in Figure 8, approximately 0% of the incident light is transmitted in the switching state of the electro-optic component with high reflectivity, and approximately 100% of the incident light is transmitted in the switching state of the electro-optic component with low reflectivity. By controlling the electro-optic component, approximately 33% of the incident light is transmitted on average over time. The light-emitting component is controlled, for example, such that between approximately 0% and approximately 60%, with an average of approximately 20%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted upwards. That is, between approximately 0% and approximately 100%, with an average of approximately 33%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted downwards.

[0149] From the diagrams 500, 510, 520, 530 of the Fig. As illustrated in Figure 9, approximately 0% of the incident light is transmitted in the switching state of the electro-optic component with high reflectivity, and approximately 100% of the incident light is transmitted in the switching state of the electro-optic component with low reflectivity. By controlling the electro-optic component, approximately 33% of the incident light is transmitted on average over time. The light-emitting component is controlled, for example, such that between approximately 0% and approximately 60%, with an average of approximately 20%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted upwards. That is, between approximately 40% and approximately 100%, with an average of approximately 80%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted downwards.

[0150] From the diagrams 500, 510, 520, 530 of the Fig. The 10 illustrated control diagrams show that in the switching state of the electro-optic component with high reflectivity, approximately 0% of the incident light is transmitted, and in the switching state of the electro-optic component with low reflectivity, approximately 100% of the incident light is transmitted. By controlling the electro-optic component, approximately 33% of the incident light is transmitted on average over time. The light-emitting component is controlled, for example, such that between approximately 0% and approximately 60%, with an average of approximately 20%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted upwards. That is, between approximately 0% and approximately 40%, with an average of approximately 13%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted downwards.

[0151] From the diagrams 500, 510, 520, 530 of the Fig. As can be seen from the 11 illustrated control circuits, approximately 0% of the incident light is transmitted in the switching state of the electro-optic component with high reflectivity, and approximately 100% of the incident light is transmitted in the switching state of the electro-optic component with low reflectivity. By controlling the electro-optic component, approximately 66% of the incident light is transmitted on average over time. The light-emitting component is controlled, for example, such that between approximately 0% and approximately 60%, with an average of approximately 40%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted upwards. That is, between approximately 0% and approximately 100%, with an average of approximately 26%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted downwards.

[0152] From the diagrams 500, 510, 520, 530 of the Fig. The 12 illustrated control diagrams show that in the switching state of the electro-optic component with high reflectivity, approximately 0% of the incident light is transmitted, and in the switching state of the electro-optic component with low reflectivity, approximately 100% of the incident light is transmitted. By controlling the electro-optic component, approximately 66% of the incident light is transmitted on average over time. The light-emitting component is controlled, for example, such that between approximately 0% and approximately 60%, averaging approximately 20%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted upwards. That is, between approximately 0% and approximately 40%, averaging approximately 13%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted downwards.

[0153] From the diagrams 500, 510, 520, 530 of the Fig. The 13 illustrated control diagrams show that in the switching state of the electro-optic component with high reflectivity, approximately 0% of the incident light is transmitted, and in the switching state of the electro-optic component with low reflectivity, approximately 100% of the incident light is transmitted. By controlling the electro-optic component, approximately 33% of the incident light is transmitted on average over time. The light-emitting component is controlled, for example, such that between approximately 0% and approximately 60%, averaging approximately 0.3%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted upwards. That is, between approximately 0% and approximately 100%, averaging approximately 33.9%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted downwards.

[0154] Out of Fig. 13 It is also evident that, by means of the coordinated control of the at least one electro-optical component and the light-emitting component, short flashes of light (in Fig. 13 (illustrated as upward-emitted flashes of light) can be generated.

[0155] From the diagrams 500, 510, 520, 530 of the Fig. The 14 illustrated control diagrams show that in the switching state of the electro-optic component with high reflectivity, approximately 0% of the incident light is transmitted, and in the switching state of the electro-optic component with low reflectivity, approximately 100% of the incident light is transmitted. By controlling the electro-optic component, approximately 99% of the incident light is transmitted on average over time. The light-emitting component is controlled, for example, such that between approximately 0% and approximately 60%, averaging approximately 0.6%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted upwards. That is, between approximately 40% and approximately 100%, averaging approximately 99.4%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted downwards.

[0156] Out of Fig. 14 It is also evident that, by means of the coordinated control of the at least one electro-optical component and the light-emitting component, short flashes of light (in Fig. 13 (illustrated as upward-emitted flashes of light) can be generated.

[0157] Fig. Figure 15 illustrates the control of a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced models. The light-emitting assembly essentially corresponds to the light-emitting assembly of the Fig. 1B. That is to say, the light-emitting component essentially corresponds to an embodiment of a further development of a light-emitting assembly described above, with at least two electro-optic components and / or with at least one first electro-optic component in the beam path of the first principal emission direction and at least one second electro-optic component in the beam path of the second principal emission direction.

[0158] By adjusting the duty cycle of pulses 412 and 1502, the transparency 402 of the electro-optical components can be adjusted over time. Fig. In diagram 15, pulses 412 and 1502 each have a duty cycle of 1. In other words, in the first diagram 400, the first electro-optical component 412 has a transparency 402 of approximately 50% and a reflectivity of approximately 50% on average over time, and the second electro-optical component 1512 has a transparency 402 of approximately 50% and a reflectivity of approximately 50%. By controlling the electro-optical components with duty cycles of 1 each, the observable reflected component is adjusted to approximately 50%.

[0159] The duty cycle of electrically switchable mirrors (reflecting) to electrically switchable mirrors (transparent) is set for the electro-optical components using pulse-width modulation. The electro-optical components can be pulsed independently of each other, for example, with different pulses.

[0160] The overall frequency change of the switching states of the electro-optical components or electrically switchable mirrors is possible, for example, by means of pulse frequency modulation.

[0161] This enables, as an application example of the light-emitting assembly, the display of different effects, such as artistic effects, for example for a stage, film or entertainment.

[0162] From the diagrams 500, 510, 520, 530 of the Fig. The 16 illustrated control diagrams show that in the switching state of the electro-optic components with high reflectivity, approximately 0% of the incident light is transmitted, and in the switching state of the electro-optic component with low reflectivity, approximately 0% of the incident light is transmitted. By controlling the electro-optic components, approximately 0% of the incident light is transmitted on average over time. The light-emitting component is controlled, for example, such that between approximately 0% and approximately 100%, with an average of approximately 50%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted upwards. That is, between approximately 0% and approximately 100%, with an average of approximately 50%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted downwards.

[0163] Out of Fig. 16 It is also evident that, by means of the coordinated control of the at least one electro-optical component and the light-emitting component, the light-emitting assembly is non-transparent or opaque, and / or light is emitted in both main emission directions.

[0164] From the diagrams 500, 510, 520, 530 of the Fig. As can be seen from the 17 illustrated control circuits, approximately 0% of the incident light is transmitted when the electro-optic components with high reflectivity are switched on, and approximately 100% of the incident light is transmitted when the electro-optic component with low reflectivity is switched on. By controlling the electro-optic components, approximately 50% of the incident light is transmitted on average over time. The light-emitting component is controlled, for example, such that between approximately 0% and approximately 60%, with an average of approximately 30%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted upwards. That is, between approximately 0% and approximately 40%, with an average of approximately 20%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted downwards.

[0165] Out of Fig. Furthermore, it is evident from Figure 17 that, by means of coordinated control of the at least one electro-optical component and the light-emitting component, the intensity of the light emitted in the main emission directions of the light-emitting assembly can be reduced by means of the electro-optical components. In other words, by means of the electro-optical components, with uniform or constant control of the light-emitting component, the intensity of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly can be attenuated.

[0166] From the diagrams 500, 510, 520, 530 of the Fig. The 18 illustrated control diagrams show that in the switching state of the electro-optic components with high reflectivity, approximately 0% of the incident light is transmitted, and in the switching state of the electro-optic component with low reflectivity, approximately 100% of the incident light is transmitted. By controlling the electro-optic components, approximately 25% of the incident light is transmitted on average over time. The light-emitting component is controlled, for example, such that between approximately 0% and approximately 100%, on average approximately 40%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted upwards. That is, between approximately 0% and approximately 100%, on average approximately 35%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted downwards.

[0167] From the diagrams 500, 510, 520, 530 of the Fig. The 19 illustrated control diagrams show that in the switching state of the electro-optic components with high reflectivity, approximately 0% of the incident light is transmitted, and in the switching state of the electro-optic component with low reflectivity, approximately 100% of the incident light is transmitted. By controlling the electro-optic components, approximately 50% of the incident light is transmitted on average over time. The light-emitting component is controlled, for example, such that between approximately 0% and approximately 60%, with an average of approximately 30%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted upwards. That is, between approximately 0% and approximately 100%, with an average of approximately 30%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted downwards.

[0168] From the diagrams 500, 510, 520, 530 of the Fig. The 20 illustrated control circuits show that in the switching state of the electro-optic components with high reflectivity, approximately 0% of the incident light is transmitted, and in the switching state of the electro-optic component with low reflectivity, approximately 100% of the incident light is transmitted. By controlling the electro-optic components, approximately 99% of the incident light is transmitted on average over time. The light-emitting component, for example, is controlled such that between approximately 0% and approximately 60%, averaging approximately 59.4%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted upwards. That is, between approximately 40% and approximately 100%, averaging approximately 40.6%, of the total light emitted by the light-emitting component is emitted downwards.

[0169] Out of Fig. 20 It is also evident that by means of the coordinated control of the at least one electro-optical component and the light-emitting component a very fine change in the emission of the light-emitting assembly is possible.

[0170] Fig. Figure 21 illustrates the control of a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced models. The light-emitting assembly essentially corresponds to the light-emitting assembly of the Fig. 15.

[0171] Out of Fig. 21 also shows how the specified optical properties of the light-emitting assembly could be realized; see, for example, also Fig. 2. The specified optical properties of the light-emitting assembly include, for example, a transparency of approximately 50% and a tunability of the emission of the light-emitting assembly in a range from 0% to 100% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly per main emission direction, for example alternating.

[0172] In a first switching state 2102, 100% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly is emitted upwards.

[0173] In a second switching state 2104, 75% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly is emitted upwards and 25% downwards.

[0174] In a third switching state 2106, 50% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly is emitted upwards and 50% downwards.

[0175] In a fourth switching state 2108, 25% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly is emitted upwards and 75% downwards.

[0176] In a fifth switching state 2110, 100% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly is emitted downwards.

[0177] Fig. Figure 22 illustrates the control of a light-emitting assembly according to various advanced models. The light-emitting assembly essentially corresponds to the light-emitting assembly of the Fig. 15.

[0178] Out of Fig. 22 also shows how the specified optical properties of the light-emitting assembly could be realized; see, for example, also Fig. 2. The specified optical properties of the light-emitting assembly are, for example, a transparency of approximately 0% and a tunability of the emission of the light-emitting assembly in a range from 0% to 100% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly per main emission direction, for example alternating.

[0179] In a first switching state 2202, 100% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly is emitted upwards.

[0180] In a second switching state 2204, 75% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly is emitted upwards and 25% downwards.

[0181] In a third switching state 2206, 50% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly is emitted upwards and 50% downwards.

[0182] In a fourth switching state 2208, 25% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly is emitted upwards and 75% downwards.

[0183] In a fifth switching state 2210, 100% of the total light emitted by the light-emitting assembly is emitted downwards.

[0184] Fig. Figure 23 shows an application example for a light-emitting assembly according to various training courses.

[0185] The illustration shows a room 2300 in which a light-emitting assembly is arranged in the wall of room 2300 as a window between the interior 2302 and the exterior 2304 of room 2300, according to various further developments.

[0186] Room 2300 could, for example, be a caravan, an interview room, or an interrogation room. If a light-emitting component is used as a caravan window, the outer surface (side facing the outside, 2304) of the caravan window can be reflective, for example, in DC operation, and the inner surface (side facing the interior, 2302) can be transparent. In a first switching state, the caravan window is, for example, transparent from both the inside and outside, and the light-emitting component is optically inactive. In a second switching state, the caravan window is, for example, opaque from both the inside and outside, and the light-emitting component on the inside is optically active.

[0187] In a light-emitting assembly used as a window in an interview or interrogation room, the outer surface can be an electrically switchable mirror, for example, operating in pulsed mode and in phase with the light-emitting element. In a first switching state (no interview / interrogation), the window is transparent from both inside and outside, and the light-emitting element is optically inactive. In a second switching state, the window is opaque from the inside and transparent from the outside, and the light-emitting element is optically active only in the direction of the interior.

[0188] Fig. Figure 24A shows a device 2410 with a light-emitting assembly and a control device 2402. The light-emitting assembly can essentially correspond to a further development of a light-emitting assembly with only one electro-optical component as described above.

[0189] Fig.Figure 24B shows a device 2420 with a light-emitting assembly and a control device 2402. The light-emitting assembly can essentially correspond to a further development of a light-emitting assembly described above, with at least one first electro-optical component 110-1 and a second electro-optical component 110-2.

[0190] The control device 2402 is electrically connected to the electro-optical component 110, 110-1 by means of electrical connections 2406 and can control it.

[0191] The control device 2402 is electrically connected to at least one further, or second, electro-optical component 110-2 by means of electrical connections 2408 and can control it.

[0192] The control device 2402 is electrically connected to the light-emitting component 120 by means of electrical connections 2404 and the contact pads 314, 316 and can control it.

[0193] The control device 2402 has a pulse modulator (not shown) and can provide various voltage waveforms and / or current waveforms to the electrical components 110, 110-1, 110-2, 120 connected to the control device 2402.

[0194] The control device 2402 is designed such that the electrical components 110, 110-1, 110-2, 120 connected to the control device 2402 can each be controlled independently of one another, i.e., energized.

[0195] The control of the at least one electro-optic component 110 can be achieved by means of a voltage and / or a current applied to the electro-optic component 110. The optical properties of the electro-optic component 110 can be realized by changing the pulse width or the pulse frequency of the energy pulses, for example by means of pulse width modulation (PWM), pulse frequency modulation (PFM) of the current, and / or by changing the control voltage by means of pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) or direct current modulation (DCM), for example in the form of pulse code modulation (PCM). PWM and PFM control can be used, for example, if the at least one electro-optic component 110 is designed such that switching is only possible between two states, for example only between an on state and an off state.A PAM and DC control can be used, for example, if the at least one electro-optical component 110 is designed such that the at least one variable optical property can be adjusted by means of the magnitude and / or the current direction of the applied voltage.

[0196] The invention is not limited to the specified embodiments. For example, two or more electro-optical components can be arranged in the beam path of a main emission direction and / or two or more light-emitting components can be arranged side by side with a common electro-optical component and / or two or more light-emitting components are arranged stacked on top of each other, with one light-emitting component in the beam path of another light-emitting component.

Claims

[1] A method for operating a light-emitting assembly (100, 130), the light-emitting assembly (100, 130) comprising: • a light-emitting component (120) having a first main emission direction (102) and a second main emission direction (104), wherein the first main emission direction (102) is different from the second main emission direction (104) and wherein the light-emitting component (120) is substantially transparent; and • at least one electro-optical component (110) arranged in the beam path of the first main emission direction (102) or the second main emission direction (104), wherein the electro-optical component (110) is configured such that, with respect to the light emittable by the light-emitting component (120), it has at least a first state with a first reflectivity and a second state with a second reflectivity, and the reflectivity can be changed from the first reflectivity to the second reflectivity by electrically controlling the electro-optical component (110), wherein the second reflectivity is higher than the first reflectivity; the method comprising: • Driving the light-emitting component (120) with a first electrical energy, wherein the first electrical energy has a temporal profile, wherein the temporal profile of the first electrical energy has a plurality of energy pulses, and • Driving the at least one electro-optical component (110) with a second electrical energy, wherein the second electrical energy has a temporal profile, wherein the temporal profile of the second electrical energy has a plurality of energy pulses, • wherein the light-emitting assembly has an electrically adjustable transparency with a transmittance in a range of approximately 0% to approximately 99% • wherein the temporal profile of the first electrical energy and the temporal profile of the second electrical energy are pulse-modulated with respect to one another such that the transparency of the light-emitting assembly (100, 130) is substantially constant with respect to a time-averaged transparency of the light-emitting assembly when changing the ratio of the intensity of the light emitted in the first main emission direction to the intensity of the light emitted in the second main emission direction. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting component (120) and the at least one electro-optical component (110) are controlled such that the light-emitting assembly (100, 130) has an electrically adjustable predetermined transparency. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light-emitting component (120) and the at least one electro-optical component (110) are controlled such that the ratio of the intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting component (120) in the first main emission direction to the intensity of the light emitted in the second main emission direction is electrically adjustable. [4] Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electro-optical component (110) is substantially transparent in the first state and substantially non-transparent in the second state. [5] Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light-emitting assembly (130) has the electro-optical component (110-1) in the beam path of the first main emission direction (102) and at least one further electro-optical component (110-2) in the beam path of the second main emission direction (104), wherein the at least one further electro-optical component (110-2) is configured such that, with respect to the light that can be emitted by the light-emitting component (120), it has at least a third state with a third reflectivity and a fourth state with a fourth reflectivity, and the reflectivity can be changed from the third reflectivity to the fourth reflectivity by electrically controlling the at least one further electro-optical component, wherein the fourth reflectivity is higher than the third reflectivity; and wherein the at least one further electro-optical component (110-2) is driven with a third electrical energy, wherein the third electrical energy has a temporal profile with a plurality of energy pulses, wherein the temporal profile of the first electrical energy, the temporal profile of the second electrical energy and the temporal profile of the third electrical energy are coordinated with one another such that the transparency of the light-emitting assembly (130) is substantially constant when changing the ratio of the light emitted in the main emission directions. [6] The method according to claim 5, wherein the at least one further electro-optical component (110-2) is substantially transparent in the third state and substantially non-transparent in the fourth state. [7] Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the light-emitting component (120) and the at least one electro-optical component (110, 110-1) are controlled such that the light emitted in the first main emission direction or the light emitted in the second main emission direction has at least one light pulse or light flash or is emitted as such. [8] Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the light-emitting component (120) is designed such that the total light that can be emitted by the light-emitting component (120) essentially has a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion comprises the light that can be emitted from the first main emission direction (102) and the second portion comprises the light that can be emitted from the second main emission direction (104), wherein the light of the first portion differs from the light of the second portion in at least one property, preferably in intensity. [9] Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting assembly (100, 130) is electrically adjustable in at least one main emission direction by means of the control of the at least one electro-optical component (110). [10] Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one electro-optical component (110) is controlled such that, with respect to the light emitted by the light-emitting assembly (100, 130), the intensity of the light of the first main emission direction is approximately equal to the intensity of the light of the second main emission direction. [11] Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one electro-optical component (110) is controlled such that, with respect to the light emitted by the light-emitting assembly (110, 130), substantially all of the light is emitted in only the first main emission direction or the second main emission direction. [12] Method according to claim 11, wherein the main emission direction in which substantially all of the light is emitted is electrically adjustable by means of driving the electro-optical component (110). [13] Method according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the light-emitting component (120) is configured as an at least bidirectional light-emitting component. [14] Method according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the light-emitting assembly (100, 130) is operated as a surface light source.

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