Display system

Abstract

An display comprises an electronic display device 303 and a panel 200, the panel having a decorative layer 206 with a colour and luminance pattern on a visible surface 206a, and means 207 for displaying a pattern which is substantially the inverse of the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer. The inverse pattern is substantially ineffective on the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer when the first surface is viewed in reflected light. In transmitted light, the inverse pattern effectively “cancels out” the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer, providing a panel with a homogeneous colour and luminance compensation. The decorative layer may be a wood grain effect or textured layer, and may be a wood veneer, fabric, glass or plastic. Alternatively the decorative layer may be printed. The inverse pattern may be a printed layer or the display device may be configured to generate the inverse pattern digitally overlaid on the display content of the display device (Fig. 4). The display may provided in the interior of a vehicle.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of display systems. In particular, the present invention describes an apparatus and method of manufacture of a display system for, although not necessarily exclusively, the interior of a vehicle. Background to the Invention In the automotive industry, there is a growing demand for incorporating more displays within the interior of a vehicle to provide additional information or for entertainment purposes. Various types of displays may be employed within the vehicle to present visual information to the viewer, enabling the representation of images, videos, and other visual content. A display system may comprise a combination of high-resolution and low-resolution displays. Some examples of high-resolution displays include liquid crystal displays (LCDs) which use liquid crystals and a backlight; organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays using organic compounds that emit light when an electric current is applied; and MicroLED displays which use miniature light-emitting diodes as individual display pixels. Furthermore, low resolution displays used within the vehicle display system may include light-emitting diode (LED) display devices, such as an LED light-tile for backlighting. As more displays are currently required within a typical vehicle display system, it is important to ensure that a visually attractive display system is created, that provides a pleasant atmosphere for the viewer. Furthermore, it is similarly important to ensure that the displays are integrated within the display system in a non-distracting manner, to prevent a driver from being distracted by the displays. An example of a typical automotive display system, as known in the art, is presented in Figure 1, which shows a cross sectional view of a display system 100. The display system has a backlighting unit 101 and an LCD panel 102, collectively the display device 103, that are placed behind a layer of material to create a hidden or concealed appearance when the LCD panel 102 and backlighting unit 101 are turned off. A fabric or wooden veneer layer 106 is used for covering the LCD panel 102 and the backlighting unit 101. The fabric or wooden veneer layer 106 acts to create a more immersive experience for a viewer and is aesthetically pleasing when the display system 100 is turned off. However, the surface of real or artificial materials (such as fabric or wooden veneer) typically consists of patterns. When light from a display device is transmitted through the material, colour and spatial luminance variations from the surface pattern are superimposed onto the display content. This reduces the image quality and hence the readability to the viewer. There is generally a need for an apparatus and method to address the problems identified above. Examples of systems and methods known in the art include EP4046153, WO2022128753 and CN115083271. Summary of Invention It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a panel and display system 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. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a panel for a display device, the panel comprising: a decorative layer having a colour and luminance pattern, the decorative layer having a first and second surface; and on the side of the second surface, means for displaying a pattern which is substantially the inverse of the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer, wherein the inverse pattern is substantially ineffective on the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer when the first surface is viewed in reflected light, and effective by substantially cancelling the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer when the first surface is viewed in transmitted light. The inventors have surprisingly found that when the panel is viewed in transmitted light, the inverse pattern effectively “cancels out” the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer, providing a panel with a homogeneous colour and luminance compensation, and having a white or grey appearance. This advantageously improves the quality of images on a display device and makes information on the display device easier to read. Advantageously, the panel has the visually attractive appearance of the decorative layer when the panel is viewed in reflected light. The present invention permits the use of a wider range of decorative materials and patterns for the decorative layer. By “colour and luminance pattern” it is meant the colour and luminance pattern (i.e. distribution) of the light transmitted through the decorative layer when viewed from the first surface. By "substantially ineffective" it is meant that the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer is not substantially altered by the inverse pattern (i.e. it is preferably altered by less than 20%, or by less than 10%, or by less than 5%, or by less than 1%). By "effective by substantially cancelling" it is meant that the visual appearance of the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative later is reduced (or cancelled out), preferably by at least 50%, or by at least 60%, or by at least 70%, or by at least 80%, or by at least 90%, or by at least 95%. Preferably, the panel is viewed in transmitted light when a display device is in an ON-state, and the panel is viewed in reflected light when a display device is in an OFF-state. The appearance of the decorative layer allows for the panel to blend in pleasantly with any interior environment. The decorative layer may comprise one or more decorative materials. The decorative materials may comprise a natural material, fabric, textile, wood veneer, plastic, or glass. The decorative layer may comprise a surface effect. A surface effect may include wood grain effect, textured coatings, moulded contour textures. The decorative layer may be printed. For example, the decorative layer may be printed wood or metal. The means for displaying a pattern may be adjacent to, or on, the second surface. The means may be a printed layer on the second surface of the decorative layer. The panel may comprise one or more layers on the side of the first surface of the panel. The panel may comprise a transparent layer on, or adjacent to, the first surface of the panel. The transparent layer may be made of glass or plastic. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a panel for a display device, the panel comprising: a decorative layer having a colour and luminance pattern, the decorative layer having a first and second surface; and on the side of the second surface, means for displaying a pattern which is substantially the inverse of the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer, wherein the inverse pattern is not visible when the first surface is viewed in reflected light and visible when the first surface is viewed in transmitted light. Embodiments of the second aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first aspect of the invention or its embodiments, or vice versa. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a panel for a display device, the panel comprising: a decorative layer having a colour and luminance pattern, the decorative layer having a first and second surface; and a printed layer on the second surface of the decorative layer, wherein the printed layer has a pattern which is substantially the inverse of the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer, and wherein the printed layer is substantially ineffective on the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer when the first surface is viewed in reflected light, and effective by substantially cancelling the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer when the first surface is viewed in transmitted light. Embodiments of the third aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first or second aspects of the invention or its embodiments, or vice versa. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a display system for the interior of a vehicle, the display system comprising: a display device; and a panel according to the first, second or third aspect of the invention. The means for displaying a pattern may comprise the display device itself, in the form of image content shown on the display device. The image content is preferably digitally overlaid on the display device’s content. In other words, the inverse of the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer may be added to the media (i.e. image and / or video) content shown on the display device through digital image processing. In these embodiments, when the image-processed media content is played behind the decorative layer (“behind” with respect to the position of the viewer), the colour and luminance inverse pattern (which is embedded into the media content) is transmitted through the decorative layer, and effectively “cancels out”, or filters, the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer. The display device may comprise a control unit, or processor, for digitally overlaying the image content (with the inverse pattern) onto the media content. In other words, the control unit, or processor, is configured for digital image processing. The display device may be any suitable display known in the art, and preferably those which are suitable for the interior of a vehicle. The display device may comprise a display panel and a backlighting module. The display device may be a MicroLED display. The display device may be a liquid crystal display The display device may be a thin-film-transistor liquid crystal display. The display device may be an organic light emitting diode display. The display system may comprise a plurality of display devices. Incorporating more display devices allows for more information to be presented to a viewer. The display system may comprise a rectangular shape. The display system may comprise a contoured shape. Embodiments of the fourth aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first to third aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa. According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of improving the image quality of a display system comprising a display device and a panel according to the first, second or third aspect of the invention, the method comprising: -providing media content to be shown on the display device; -digitally overlaying a pattern which is substantially the inverse of the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer onto the media content; and -displaying the digitally edited media content on the display device. Embodiments of the fifth aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first to fourth aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa. According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a display system for the interior of a vehicle, the method comprising: -providing a display device, and -providing a panel according to the first, second or third aspect of the invention. Embodiments of the sixth aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first to fifth aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa. Brief Description of Drawings There will now be described, by way of example only, various embodiments of aspects of the present invention with reference to the drawings, of which: Figure 1 presents a cross-sectional view of a display system as is known in the art; Figure 2 presents a cross-sectional view of a panel for a display device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 presents a cross-sectional view of a display system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, comprising the panel shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 presents a cross-sectional view of a display system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5 presents an illustration of the colour and luminance pattern of a decorative layer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and the corresponding inverse colour and luminance pattern. In the description which follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, in increments of 100. 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 An explanation of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. In Figure 2, a cross-section of a panel, as generally depicted by reference numeral 200, is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The panel 200 comprises a decorative layer 206 having a first 206a and second 206b surface. The decorative layer 206 is configured or adapted to transmit at least a portion of light that is incident upon it. The decorative layer 206 can be made from any suitable material such as fabric, wood veneer, plastic, glass, or any other suitable material. Furthermore, the decorative layer 206 may comprise any suitable combination of said materials. The decorative layer 206 may also have a surface effect or combination of surface effects. Such surface effects include a wood grain effect, textured coatings, and moulded contour textures, where these visual effects are employed to enhance the appearance of the decorative layer 206. The panel is viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 2. When the first surface 206a is viewed in transmitted light (i.e. light passes through the decorative layer 206 from the underside and towards the viewer), the decorative layer 206 inherently has a colour and luminance pattern. This colour and luminance pattern is depicted in Figure 2 as diagonal shading across the decorative layer 206. On the side of the second surface 206b, the panel 200 comprises means for displaying a pattern which is substantially the inverse of the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer. In this embodiment, the means is a passive means for displaying a pattern in the form of a printed layer 207 on the second surface 206b of the decorative layer 206. This inverse colour and luminance pattern is depicted in Figure 2 as diagonal shading across the printed layer 207, in an opposite direction to the shading on the decorative layer 206. The printed layer 207 (i.e. the inverse pattern) is substantially ineffective on the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer 206 when the first surface 206a is viewed in reflected light. In other words, the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer is not substantially altered by the inverse pattern (i.e. it is altered by less than 20%, or by less than 10%, or by less than 5%, or by less than 1 %). The printed layer 207 (i.e. the inverse pattern) is arranged such that when the combination of the decorative layer 206 and the printed layer 207 is viewed in transmitted light, the printed layer 207 effectively “cancels out” the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer 206, providing a panel 200 with a homogeneous colour and luminance compensation. The result is the panel 200 has a generally white or grey appearance, and the surface pattern of the decorative layer 206 has been hidden from the viewer. Preferably, the visual appearance of the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative later is reduced (or cancelled out) by at least 50%, or by at least 60%, or by at least 70%, or by at least 80%, or by at least 90%, or by at least 95%. By way of an example, say the decorative layer 206 is a layer of wood. Thus, the decorative layer has a generally brown colour with areas having a darker brown colour and areas having a lighter brown colour. This represents the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer 206. In this example, the inverse pattern would have a generally blue colour (as the “opposite”, or inverse, of brown is blue), with the dark brown areas of the decorative layer 206 having a light colour in the inverse pattern, and vice versa for the light brown areas of the decorative layer 206. While the means for displaying the inverse pattern in this embodiment is printed directly on the second surface 206b, it will be appreciated that this is not essential. Nor is it essential that the means for displaying the inverse pattern is directly adjacent to (or in contact with) the second surface 206b, and there may be one or more other layers or structures situated between the decorative layer and the means for displaying the inverse pattern. In Figure 3, a cross-section of a display system, as generally depicted by reference numeral 300, is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The display system 300 comprises a display device 303 and a panel 200. The panel 200 in Figure 3 is the same as the panel illustrated in Figure 2. The display device 303 has a backlighting unit 301 and an LCD panel 302. However, the present invention is not limited to this type of display device and may be any suitable display device known in the art. For example, the display device 303 may be a MicroLED display, a liquid crystal display, or an organic light emitting diode display. The display system 300 is arranged such that the first surface 206a of the decorative layer 206 is closest to the viewer (indicated by the arrow), with the printed layer 207 between the decorative layer 206 and the display device 303. The display device 303 has an OFF-state and an ON-state. In the OFF-state, the backlighting unit 301 is unlit and no light is transmitted through the display system 300. Thus, the panel 200 is viewed in reflected light and the printed layer 207 is substantially ineffective on the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer 206. Thus, to the viewer, the panel 200 has the visual appearance of the decorative layer 206. In the ON-state, the backlighting unit 301 is lit and light is transmitted through the display system 300. Thus, the panel 200 is viewed in transmitted light and the printed layer 207 “cancels out” the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer 206. The result is that the appearance (i.e. surface pattern) of the decorative layer 206 is not observed, and the viewer has improved visibility of the media content on the LCD panel 302. In Figure 4, a cross-section of a display system, as generally depicted by reference numeral 400, is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The display system 400 comprises a display device 403, having a backlighting unit 401 and an LCD panel 402. The display system 400 also comprises a decorative later 406 having a first 406a and second 406b surface. The display system 400 is viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 4. When the first surface 406a is viewed in transmitted light (i.e. light passes through the decorative layer 406 from the underside and towards the viewer), the decorative layer 406 inherently has a colour and luminance pattern. This colour and luminance pattern is depicted in Figure 4 as diagonal shading across the decorative layer 406. On the side of the second surface 406b, the display system 400 comprises means for displaying a pattern which is substantially the inverse of the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer. In this embodiment, the means is an active means for displaying a pattern in the form of the display device 403 itself, in the form of image content shown on the display device 403. The “image content” is the inverse pattern and is digitally overlaid on the media content displayed by the LCD panel 402. This is achieved though digital image processing techniques which are known in the art. This inverse colour and luminance pattern is depicted in Figure 4 as diagonal shading across the LCD panel 402, in an opposite direction to the shading on the decorative layer 406. The display device 403 has an OFF-state and an ON-state. In the OFF-state, the backlighting unit 401 is unlit and no light is transmitted through the display system 400. Thus, the display system 400 is viewed in reflected light and the display system 400 has the visual appearance of the decorative layer 406. In the ON-state, the backlighting unit 401 is lit and light is transmitted through the display system 400, with media content displayed (i.e. played) on the LCD panel 402 and visible to the viewer. The overlaid inverse pattern (which is present in this media content) is transmitted through the decorative layer 406. This inverse pattern effectively “cancels out” the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer 406. The result is that the appearance (i.e. surface pattern) of the decorative layer 406 is not observed, and the viewer has improved visibility of the media content on the LCD panel 402. To illustrate the colour and luminance pattern, Figure 5 (top) shows a greyscale image of the colour and luminance pattern of a layer of wood 510 (i.e. the decorative layer). As can be seen, the pattern has lighter and darker regions. Figure 5 (bottom) shows a greyscale image of the corresponding inverse colour and luminance pattern 511. The darker areas of the decorative layer have a lighter colour in the inverse pattern, and the lighter areas of the decorative layer have a darker colour in the inverse pattern. The combination of the two patterns (when viewed in transmitted light) results in a "grey" appearance, thus hiding the patterned visual appearance of the wood. A panel 200 for a display device 303,403, a display system 300,400 for a vehicle, and a method of manufacturing are disclosed. The panel 200 comprises a decorative layer 206,406 having a colour and luminance pattern, the decorative layer 206,406 having a first 206a,406a and second surface 206b,406b; and on the side of the second surface 206b,406b, means for displaying a pattern which is substantially the inverse of the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer is provided. The inverse pattern is substantially ineffective on the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer when the first surface 206a,406a is viewed in reflected light. In transmitted light, the inverse pattern effectively “cancels out” the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer 206,406, providing a panel 200 with a homogeneous colour and luminance compensation. 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. Furthermore, reference to any prior art in the description should not be taken as an indication that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. 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 modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Therefore, further modifications or improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A panel for a display device, the panel comprising:a decorative layer having a colour and luminance pattern, the decorative layer having a first and second surface; andon the side of the second surface, means for displaying a pattern which is substantially the inverse of the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer,wherein the inverse pattern is substantially ineffective on the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer when the first surface is viewed in reflected light, and effective by substantially cancelling the colour and luminance pattern of the decorative layer when the first surface is viewed in transmitted light.

2. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the decorative layer comprises one or more surface effects.

3. The panel according to claim 2, where the surface effect is a wood grain effect or a textured coating or a moulded contour texture.4 The panel according to any of one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the decorative layer is printed.

5. The panel according to any of one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the decorative layer comprises one or more decorative materials.

6. The panel according to claim 5, wherein decorative materials comprise a natural material or a fabric or a textile or wood veneer or plastic or glass.

7. The panel according to any of one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the means is a printed layer on the second surface of the decorative layer.

8. A display system for the interior of a vehicle, the display system comprising: a display device; anda panel according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The display system according to claim 8, wherein the means for displaying a pattern comprises the display device, in the form of image content shown on the display device.

10. The display system according to claim 9, wherein the image content is digitally overlaid on the display device’s content.

11. The display system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the display device comprises a MicroLED display, a liquid crystal display, or an organic light emitting diode display.

12. The display system according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the display system comprises a plurality of display devices.

13. A method of manufacturing a display system for the interior of a vehicle, the method comprising:-providing a display device, and-providing a panel according to any one of claims 1 to 7.15

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