Concealed Wall Display Panel With Half-Mirror Light Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information display systems struggle to make a display panel invisible while allowing users to view information displayed on a surface member without being aware of the panel's presence, as external light transmission through the surface member can obscure the displayed information.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a surface member with light transmitting properties that covers the display panel, using a reflection member like a half mirror to transmit light from the panel internally while suppressing external light, and a touch panel that detects inputs through electrostatic capacitance or pressure, ensuring the display is visible without the panel's visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a surface member with light transmitting properties is used to cover the display panel, then the display panel becomes invisible and design aesthetics are improved, but external light transmitted through the surface member attenuates the displayed information making it difficult to see

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of display panelVSAvoidbrightness of displayed information
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The surface member is designed with spatially varying light transmission characteristics: it transmits light from the display panel located at specific positions while suppressing external light from other directions. This local differentiation in optical properties allows the display information to remain visible through the otherwise invisible surface member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The surface member acts as an intermediary optical element between the external environment and the display panel. It selectively mediates light transmission by allowing display panel light to pass through while blocking or attenuating external light, thus protecting the visibility of displayed information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If the surface member suppresses external light transmission to make the display panel invisible, then the aesthetic integration is improved, but the displayed information becomes harder to see when light attenuation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic integration of displayVSAvoidvisibility of information
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The surface member exhibits different optical properties for different light sources: it maintains high transparency for light originating from the display panel position while providing light suppression for external light. This localized optical differentiation preserves both aesthetic integration and information visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The surface member utilizes optical property variations (analogous to color/transparency changes) to differentiate between display panel light and external light. By changing its light transmission characteristics based on the origin of the light, it maintains aesthetic integration while ensuring information remains visible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

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

This configuration allows seamless integration of the display into the wall surface, maintaining design aesthetics while ensuring the information is clearly visible and operable, even in environments like aircraft, without the user noticing the display panel's presence.

Implementation Method 1

using a reflection member like a half mirror to transmit light from the panel internally while suppressing external light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a touch panel that detects inputs through electrostatic capacitance or pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic capacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3731217B1Information display device
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3731217B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3731217B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3731217B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An information display device (1j) attachable to a structure includes a plate-like body (43), a display panel (23), and a surface member (11). The plate-like body (43) is a part of the structure and has a first attaching surface (43a), a second attaching surface (43b) opposite to the first attaching surface (43a), and a side portion (43c) that connects the first attaching surface (43a) and the second attaching surface (43b) to each other. The display panel (23) is attached to the plate-like body (43) and displays information on the display surface. The display surface is disposed from the first attaching surface (43a) to the second attaching surface (43b) of the plate-like body (43). The surface member (11) is disposed on the display surface side of the display panel to cover the display panel and is in a state where only the information displayed on the display surface of the display panel (23) is visible through the surface member (11) when the display panel (23) is turned on.