Alternating Transparent and Emissive Areas in See-Through OLED Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
In organic light-emitting display devices, the transparent regions aligned linearly with scan lines cause the background to appear as horizontal stripes on the displayed image, degrading the natural transparency and display quality of see-through displays.
Innovation Solution
A display device with light-emitting elements arranged in both directions orthogonal to each other, and active elements controlling light emission, featuring alternating light-emitting and transparent areas to prevent stripe appearance and maintain high background transmittance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If transparent regions are aligned linearly in the scan line direction to ensure wide transparent regions for improved light transmission, then background transmittance is improved, but the background appears as horizontal stripes on the displayed image, degrading display quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transparent regions into multiple sub-regions within each pixel, arranging them in a non-linear pattern (e.g., alternating or scattered distribution) rather than a single continuous linear region. This segmentation breaks the horizontal stripe pattern while collectively maintaining sufficient transparent area for high background transmittance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the arrangement of transparent regions by using non-uniform patterns such as alternating transparent and non-transparent sub-regions, or scattered distributions that do not follow the linear scan line direction. This asymmetric arrangement prevents the formation of horizontal stripes while preserving overall light transmission.
2Illumination intensity
If transparent regions are made wider to improve light transmission, then background transmittance is improved, but image distortion increases due to the linear alignment with scan lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides wide transparent regions into multiple smaller transparent sub-regions arranged in non-linear patterns within each pixel. This segmentation maintains the total transparent area (ensuring high light transmission) while eliminating the continuous linear structure that causes image distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional linear arrangement of transparent regions (along scan lines) to a two-dimensional non-linear distribution pattern within the pixel array. This dimensional change allows transparent regions to be distributed across both horizontal and vertical dimensions, preventing distortion while maintaining transmission.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents the background from appearing as stripes on the displayed image, maintaining natural transparency and achieving high background transmittance in see-through displays.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged both in a first direction and in a second direction... active elements configured to respectively control emission of light by the plurality of light-emitting elements
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of second areas capable of transmitting light that comes from behind
Data Source
AI summary
An organic EL display device includes: a plurality of organic EL elements arranged both in a row direction and in a column direction; and a plurality of TFTs configured to respectively control emission of light by the plurality of organic EL elements. The emission of light by the organic EL elements is controlled through operation of the TFTs individually for the plurality of organic EL elements arranged in the row direction. A display area where an image is displayed includes: a plurality of first areas capable of emitting light owing to the organic EL elements; and a plurality of second areas capable of transmitting light that comes from behind. The first areas and the second areas are alternately provided in the row direction and in the column direction.