Panel for a display device

Abstract

The present invention provides an alternative panel 8 for a display device to those known in the art. The panel 8 comprises an active region 2 and a border region 3, wherein the border region 3 surrou

Description

The present invention relates to the field of automotive display systems. In particular, the present invention relates to a panel for use in an automotive display device and methods for manufacturing the panel. Background to the Invention A display device is an electronic device that presents visual information to the user, enabling the representation of images, videos, and other visual content. There are a variety of available display devices which employ a range of different technologies. Some examples include liquid crystal displays (LCDs) which utilize liquid crystals and a backlight, organic light-emitting diode (OLEDs) displays using organic compounds that emit light when an electric current is applied and MicroLED displays which utilise miniature light-emitting diodes as individual display pixels. Each of the various types of display devices generally comprise a panel that has an active region i.e., the area of the display where the visual content is presented. The panel typically has an opaque border surrounding the edge of the active region. The opaque border may serve as both a structural component, providing support for the display device, and as a housing for various components or structures required for the display device. In particular, the border region generally contains the various electrical components or circuits that are required for controlling the individual pixels within the active region. As the electrical components of the display devices are typically sensitive to light, they generally require some form of protection. Usually, the electrical connections and circuitry are protected by an opaque black mask to ensure adequate protection of the electronics. As a result, the opaque black mask also tends to be present within the border of the panel. For example, the panel typically used within a liquid crystal display (LCD) generally comprises two glass plates that provide the structural support for the panel, where the first glass plate acts as the bottom substrate and the second glass plate serves as the top substrate. The panel then further comprises a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) that is deposited between the two thin glass plates, where the LCP allows for manipulation of light transmission. A thin film transistor (TFT) layer is also provided, comprising a TFT circuit that is composed of an array of transistors interconnected by a network of thin metal traces known as interconnects. The TFT circuitry and interconnects are generally placed along the border of the LCD panel. In standard practise the TFT and interconnects are protected by the above-mentioned opaque black mask, as these electronics are sensitive to light. Similar panels are also required for other display devices such as OLED displays but these may use a different structure and design than outlined above in relation to a typical LCD display. However, each of the different types of display device utilise light sensitive control electronics that must be suitably protected. For various display systems, such as automotive display systems, there is often a requirement for a combination of multiple of the same or different display devices. For example, an automotive display system may include both high resolution display devices such as LCDs and OLEDs, along with low resolution display devices such as light-emitting diode (LED) displays. Due to the standard construction of the conventional panels used within display devices, automotive display systems in the art include an opaque border between each of the separate display devices. As a result, an automotive display system is not immersive for a user, as there is no natural lighting transition between the different display devices provided within the automotive display system. There is generally a need for an apparatus and method to address the problems identified above. It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a panel for use in a display device that obviates or mitigates one or more drawbacks or disadvantages of the prior art. Further aims and objects of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description. Summary of Invention According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a panel for a display device comprising: an active region; a border region surrounding the periphery of the active region; wherein the border region is adapted or configured to allow at least partial transmission of light through the border region. The panel of the present invention advantageously allows for light to be transmitted through the border region of the panel. As a result, when incorporating the above panel into a display device, the perimeter of the display device would not be observed as completely opaque by a viewer of the device. As such, the above panel design can be used to provide a more immersive display system for a user. In particular, the above panel would allow for a more immersive experience when viewing a display system that incorporates separate multiple display devices. Preferably the border region is adapted or configured to allow at least 5 per cent transmission of light. Preferably the border region comprises a mask; optionally the mask is a black mask. Preferably the mask is optically opaque. Alternatively, the mask is optically translucent or optically reflective. An optically opaque (and optionally black) mask does not allow light to pass through it, preventing the clear transmission of light. By providing an opaque mask any optically sensitive components are protected. However, if a modified mask is provided that is translucent or reflective, i.e., does not absorb all the light incident on it, a portion of the light incident on the panel may be transmitted through the mask to the active region of the panel. The border region may further comprise optically sensitive electronics. Preferably, optically sensitive electronics are absent from one or more areas of the border region. Optionally, the absence of optically sensitive components produces a pattern of gaps within the border region. Optionally, there are provided a reduced number of optically sensitive electronics within one or more areas of the border region. Preferably, the mask is absent from one or more areas of the border region. Optionally the mask is patterned, wherein the pattern may comprise patches and or strips, wherein the patches and or strips may coat or overlay the optically sensitive electronics. Optionally, the mask is patterned so as to provide gaps in the mask which coincide with gaps between optically sensitive components in the border region. Optically sensitive electronics require some form of protection, such as a mask. However, by providing regions where there are no optically sensitive electronics, or regions of reduced numbers of optically sensitive electronics, it is possible to modify the mask in a corresponding pattern so that it does not extend across the entire border region. By providing such a modified mask, a portion of the light incident on the panel may be transmitted to the active region of the panel, for example through gaps in the mask which coincide with gaps between optically sensitive components. Optionally the border region allows for at least partial transmission of light from the active region. Preferably the panel further comprises a first substrate layer and a second substrate layer. Preferably the mask is coated on the inside surface of the first substrate layer. Optionally the panel further comprises a liquid crystal layer and a thin film transistor layer. Preferably the thin film transistor layer is located on the second substrate layer and the liquid crystal layer is located on the first substrate layer. Preferably the optically sensitive electronics are located on the periphery of the thin film transistor layer. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is method of manufacturing a panel for a display device comprising: -providing an active region; -providing a border region surrounding the periphery of the active region; and -adapting or configuring the border region to allow at least partial transmission of light through the border region. Embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention may comprise features to implement the preferred or optional features of the first aspects of the present invention or vice versa. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a flex-on-glass panel for liquid crystal display screen, said flex-on-glass panel comprising a zone comprising: a first layer of glass, a second layer of glass, a thin film transistor coated on a surface of said second layer of glass, said thin film transistor comprising a periphery (or border region), a metal interconnect zone connected to said periphery of said thin film transistor through a thin film transistor circuit, said metal interconnect zone being protected by a mask, said mask being coated on the inside surface of the top glass, a layer of liquid crystal polymer located between said first layer of glass and said thin film transistor, wherein said flex-on-glass panel has at least one peripheric zone (or zone within the border region) having a light transmission at least 5%. Embodiments of the third aspect of the present invention may comprise features to implement the preferred or optional features of the first or second aspects of the present invention or vice versa. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an immersive display, or a display system, comprising one or more panels, wherein one or more areas of the border region of each panel is adapted or configured to allow at least 5 per cent light transmission through the border region. The one or more panels may comprise one or more panels according to the first or third aspects of the invention. Embodiments of the fourth aspect of the present invention may comprise features to implement the preferred or optional features of the first, second or third aspects of the present invention or vice versa. Brief Description of Drawings There will now be described, by way of example only, various embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, of which: Figure 1 (a) and (b) present a top down view of an area of a panel for a display device as is known in the art; Figure 2 (a) and (b) present a top down view of an area of a panel for a display device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 (a) and (b) present a top down view of an area of a panel for a display device in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention; Figure 4 (a) and (b) present a top down view of an area of a panel for a display device in accordance with further alternative embodiments of the present invention; Figure 5 presents a top down view of a display device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and the proportions of certain parts have been exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of embodiments of the invention. Detailed Description Figure 1 (a) and (b) present a top down view of an area near the edge of a standard panel for a display device, as generally depicted by reference numeral 2, as is known in the art. The portion of the panel 2 shown in Figure 1 (a) can be seen to comprise an active region 3 and a border region 4. As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, if the full area of the panel 2 was shown in Figure 1, the border region 4 would extend around the periphery of active region 3. The active region 3 of the panel 2 comprises an array of pixels 5 which are responsible for producing the visual content for the display device. The border region 4 of the panel 2 comprises a network of electrical connections, known collectively as the interconnects 6, and the control circuits 7 required for operating the active region 3 of the panel 2. The interconnects 6 enables the transfer of electrical signals between various components of the panel 2. Therefore, the design and implementation of the interconnects 6 is essential for ensuring reliable and efficient operation of the display device. As can be seen in Figure 1 (a) the interconnects 6 provide the electrical pathways for connections to the control circuitry 7. As both the interconnects 6 and control circuits 7 are sensitive to light they require some form of protection. In the standard construction of a panel 2 for a display device, as depicted in Figure 1(b), the light sensitive electronics are protected by an opaque mask 8. The opaque mask 8 overlies and or covers the entire border region 4 containing the interconnects 6 and control circuits 7, to provide protection for these components. When the panel 2 shown in Figure 1 (b) is used within a display device, the opaque mask 8 results in an opaque border around the periphery of the panel 2. Therefore, there is no light transmission from the border region 4 of the panel 2 to the active region 3 of the panel 2 (or vice versa). This means that for a display system, such as an automotive display system, where a number of display devices may be placed adjacent to one another, the above construction results in an opaque border around each display device. Therefore, the above panel 2 design gives the resulting display system the visual appearance of comprising of several obviously distinct and separate display devices within the display system, rather than an immersive display system for the user. The above described panel 2 design may be employed as is or analogously within different types of display devices. Examples include liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) panels or MicroLED panels. A panel 9 for a display device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and its method of production, will now be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 (a) and (b) present a top down view of an area of a panel 2 for a display device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the panel 2 of Figure 1, the panel 9 also comprises an active region 3 containing an array of pixels 5, and a border region 4 which houses the interconnects 6 and control circuits 7. However, as shown in Figure 2 (a), the layout of the electronics has been modified within the panel 9 when compared to the standard panel construction shown in Figure 1 (a). In particular, the layout has been revised to localise the sensitive electronics of the interconnects 6 and the control circuits 7 on an area on the edge of the border region 4 of the panel 9. As there are no sensitive electronics on a section of the border region 4, there is no longer a requirement for an opaque mask to occupy the entire border region 4 . Instead, as shown in Figure 2 (b), the opaque mask 8 can be localised to the area of the border region 4 comprising the interconnects 6 and the control circuits 7. The areas with no electrical circuitry, or at least no light-sensitive components, do not require an opaque mask 8 and hence the resulting gap allows for light transmission to the active region 3 of the panel 9. It will be appreciated by the skilled reader that the sensitive electrical connections of the interconnects 6 and the control circuits 7 may be localised in a different position of the border region 4 of the panel 9 than shown in Figure 2 (a). Similarly, the opaque mask 8 could then be provided in the any area of the border region 4 in which the electrical connections are arranged. The absorbing material of the opaque mask 8 could be black ink or black photoresist material or any suitable alternative material that protects the optically sensitive components for negative impact of photons. Typically, in the areas of the border region 4 where no opaque mask 8 is required, the light transmission from the border region 4 of the panel 9 to the active region 3 of the panel 9 is at least 5 per cent. However, there could alternatively be less or more light transmission depending on the specific construction of the panel 9 used for the display device. Note that the display device utilising the panel 9 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panel or a MicroLED panel, or any other suitable display panel comprising an active region 3 and a border region 4. While in Figure 2 (a) the electrical connections are arranged to provide a region with no electrical circuitry, it will be further appreciated by the skilled reader that the electrical connections could instead be arranged to provide an area or areas of the border region 4 with reduced electrical circuitry. In particular, light-sensitive electronics might not be present within the area or areas of reduced electrical circuitry, and hence an opaque mask 8 would not be required to coat the area or areas of reduced electrical circuitry, in the same manner as shown in Figure 2 (b). The opaque mask 8 shown in Figure 2 (b) is a black mask, however a different coloured mask could alternatively be used as appropriate. Furthermore, the panel 9 of Figure 2 (a) and (b) may also further comprise additional areas of reduced and / or no electronic circuity within the border region 4. These additional areas would also not require an opaque mask 8 and hence allow for further areas of light transmission to the active region 3 of the panel 9. By way of example, further alternative embodiments of a panel 10 for a display device are presented in Figures 3 (a) and (b) respectively. In particular, both Figures 3 (a) and (b) show panels 10a and 10b which have a patterned opaque mask 11 within the border region 4. For the panel 10a shown in Figure 3 (a), the interconnects 6 and control circuits 7 are redesigned and / or relocated to create vias 12 which contain no light-sensitive electrical circuity. As a result, these vias 12 do not require protection from light, and instead a correspondingly patterned mask 11 is provided within the border region 4 to protect the light-sensitive electronics. As a result, the mask free vias 12 create sections within the border region 4 where light transmission into the active region 3 can occur. For the panel 10b shown in Figure 3 (b), rather than moving or re-designing the interconnects 6 and control circuits 7, a patterned mask 11 is used to coat smaller segments throughout the border region 4. The individual areas where the patterned mask 11 is located specifically overlay the optically sensitive regions of the interconnects 6 and control circuits 7. As will be appreciated by a reader skilled in the art, the light sensitive electrical circuitry could be relocated to different positions of the panel 10 than is shown in Figures 3 (a) and (b). Similarly, any suitable alternative pattern may be used for the patterned mask 11. By patterning the mask 11 to provide the minimum coverage required to protect the optically sensitive components (or at least provide less than complete coverage while still protecting the optically sensitive components) light is able to be transmitted to the display panel 10. A further alternative embodiment of a panel 13 for a display device is shown in Figure 4. For the panel 13a of Figure 4 (a) and the panel 13b of Figure 4 (b) the interconnects 6 and control circuits 7 are in the same location as for the standard panel 2 shown Figure 1. However, rather than providing an opaque mask 8 coating to protect the interconnects 6 and control circuits 7, a modified mask 14 is used within the border regions of the panels 13a and 13b of Figure 4. In Figure 4 (a) the modified mask 14 is optically translucent. Therefore, the modified mask 14 allows some light to pass through it, but also diffuses or scatters light in the process, resulting in a semi-transparent effect, i.e., it allows for light transmission to some degree. As such, the modified mask 14 allows for light transmission to the active region 3 of the panel 13a. In Figure 4 (b) the modified mask 14 is made from an optically reflective material rather than an absorbing material. The optically reflective material reflects the light so that it is recycled back into the display device. The reflective material of the modified mask 14 may be metal or white photoresist or any suitable alternative material that protects the optically sensitive components for negative impact of photons. As will be appreciated by a reader skilled in the art, similarly to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the sensitive electronics could be relocated so that the modified mask 14 is not required throughout the entire panel 13. Furthermore, the modified mask 14 may also be patterned to cover only optical sensitive areas of the panel 13, as for the embodiment of Figure 3. It is envisaged that any combination of patterned regions of mask (which may be, for example, alternating regions of opaque and translucent or reflective regions) and corresponding patterns of electrical components (which may be, for example, defined by the alternating presence and absence of light-sensitive electronics) might be employed to serve the function of allowing light transmission across the border region 4 to (and optionally from) the active region 3. Figure 5 presents a top down view of a panel 15 for a display device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 5 the complete panel 15 is depicted, showing the full active region 3. Within the border region 4 of the panel 15 are first 16a and second 16b light transmission regions. The light transmission regions 16 may be provided by employing any one of the panels 9, 10 or 13 as discussed with reference to Figures 2 to 4, or any combination thereof. Though the light transmission regions 16 are generally illustrated as comprising gaps in the opaque mask, this is only one way in which the invention might be realised, and within the light transmission regions 16 there may be provided patterning of an opaque mask and or regions of translucent and or reflective regions as discussed in the examples above. As previously discussed, in an automotive display system there are typically a combination of discrete display devices within the single display system. As shown in Figure 5, the first 16a and second 16b light transmission regions are therefore positioned between the active region of the central display and other types of display device, in this case respectively a first 17a and second 17b LED light-tile display. The first 16a and second 16b light transmission regions result in a more immersive display system for a user, as the border region 4 of the panel 15 is not an opaque perimeter. By using the described panel 15 within a display device of an automotive display system, an immersive display system may be provided to the viewer, as the panel 15 allows for the edge of the display panel 15 to be utilised. Therefore, by appropriately positioning the LED light-tile displays 17a, 17b the light transmission regions 16a, 16b allow for a more natural lighting transition between the panel 15 and the LED light-tile displays 17a and 17b. Note, that instead of an LED light-tile display 17, a different type of display device (which may be another display panel of the same kind as the central display panel) may be aligned with the transmission regions 16 of the panel 15. Note that a single light transmission region 16 may be provided instead of providing both a first 16a and second 16b light transmission region as shown in Figure 5. Furthermore, more than two light transmission regions 16 may alternatively be provided along the border region 4 of the panel 15, and adjacent or other display panels within the display system might also comprise one or more such light transmission regions. In summary, the present invention provides an alternative panel 9 for a display device to those known in the art. The panel 9 comprises an active region 3 and a non-active border region 4, wherein the non-active border region 4 surrounds the periphery of the active region 3. Furthermore, the non-active border region 4 of the panel is adapted to allow for at least partial transmission of light through the non-active border region 3. The active region 2 modulates a backlight for the display function and the non-active border gives a partial transmission of light from a backlight giving the appearance of edge-to-edge illumination. The above-described features result in a panel 9 for a display device that provides a more immersive experience for a viewer of the display device, with light emitted across the entire surface. Throughout the specification, unless the context demands otherwise, the terms “comprise” or “include”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, “includes” or “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Furthermore, unless the context clearly demands otherwise, the term “or” will be interpreted as being inclusive not exclusive. The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The described embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilise the invention in various embodiments and with various 1 modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Therefore, further 2 modifications or improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of 3 the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A panel for a display device comprising:an active region;a border region surrounding the periphery of the active region and comprising optically sensitive electronics and a mask to conceal the optically sensitive electronics;wherein the optically sensitive electronics and mask are adapted or configured to be absent from one or more areas of the border region to allow at least partial transmission of light through the border region.

2. A panel for a display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the border region is adapted or configured to allow at least 5 per cent transmission of light.

3. A panel for a display device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the absence of optically sensitive components produces a pattern of gaps within the border region.

4. A panel for a display device as claimed in claims 1 to 3 wherein there are provided a reduced number of optically sensitive electronics within one or more areas of the border region.

5. A panel for a display device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the border region comprises a mask.

6. A panel for a display device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the mask is absent from one or more areas of the border region.

7. A panel for a display device as claimed in claims 5 or 6 wherein the mask is a black mask.

8. A panel for a display device as claimed in claims 5 to 7 wherein the mask is optically opaque.

9. A panel for a display device as claimed in claims 5 to 7 wherein the mask is optically translucent or optically reflective.

10. A panel for a display device as claimed in claims 5 to 9 wherein the mask is patterned.27 08 2512 11. A panel for a display device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the mask is patterned3 to provide gaps in the mask which coincide with gaps between areas absent of4 optically sensitive components and or areas of reduced optically sensitive5 components in the border region.67 12. A method of manufacturing a panel for a display device the method comprising:8 -providing an active region;9 -providing a border region surrounding the periphery of the active region; and10 -adapting or configuring the border region to allow at least partial transmission11 through the border region.1213 13. An immersive display, or a display system, comprising one or more panels as14 claimed in claims 1 to 11, wherein one or more areas of the border region of each15 panel is adapted or configured to allow at least 5 per cent light transmission16 through the border region.1718

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