Deadfront Display Glass With Contrast Layer for Hidden Display Edges

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in achieving a seamless deadfront appearance for displays while maintaining high-quality display visibility when activated.

Innovation Solution

A deadfront article comprising a substrate with a semi-transparent layer and a contrast layer, which enhances visibility of colors or designs when the display is on, and provides a uniform appearance when off, is used in conjunction with a high optical density layer to define icons and graphics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a glass or plastic cover surface is used for the display, then the display is protected and has structural integrity, but the edge of the display becomes visible even when turned off, creating an aesthetically displeasing appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay protectionVSAvoiddeadfront appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cover surface is divided into a first region (display area) and a second region (non-display area), with the second region having different optical properties (higher opacity) to mask the display edge when the display is off, while the first region remains transparent to allow display visibility when on

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the cover surface are assigned different optical characteristics: the first region maintains high transparency for display visibility, while the second region has increased opacity to provide deadfront appearance, creating local quality variation to simultaneously achieve both display functionality and aesthetic appearance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If the cover surface is made opaque to hide the display edge when off, then deadfront appearance is achieved, but the display quality and visibility when activated deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeadfront appearanceVSAvoiddisplay visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover surface is segmented into distinct functional regions: a first transparent region for optimal display visibility when activated, and a second opaque region for deadfront appearance when off, allowing each region to optimize its specific function without compromising the other

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover surface exhibits spatially varying optical properties where the first region maintains high transparency to preserve display quality and visibility, while the second region has high opacity to provide deadfront appearance, with the transition between regions carefully designed to eliminate visible display edges when off

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a single-layer cover surface is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but it is difficult to achieve both good deadfront appearance and high-quality display simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecover surface structureVSAvoiddeadfront appearance with display quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cover surface is divided into functionally distinct first and second regions with different optical properties, where the first region provides display transparency and the second region provides deadfront opacity, enabling simultaneous achievement of both aesthetic appearance and display quality through regional differentiation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover surface is designed with spatially varying optical characteristics where the first region has high transparency for display visibility and the second region has high opacity for deadfront appearance, allowing a single cover surface to fulfill multiple optical requirements through local property variation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 achieves a high-quality deadfront appearance that is aesthetically pleasing when the display is off, while allowing for clear visibility of icons and graphics when the display is activated, thus addressing the dual requirements of appearance and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

the semi-transparent layer has a region of a solid color or of a design of two or more colors... configured to enhance visibility of the color of the region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

The contrast layer is disposed onto at least a portion of the region. The contrast layer is configured to enhance visibility of the color of the region or to enhance contrast between the colors of the design

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3681846B1Deadfront for displays including a touch panel on decorative glass and related methods
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 CORNING INC
  • EP3681846B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3681846B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3681846B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Embodiments of a deadfront article are provided. The deadfront article includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The deadfront article also includes a semi-transparent layer disposed onto the second surface of the substrate. The semi-transparent layer has a region of a solid color or of a design of two or more colors, and the semi-transparent layer has a first optical density. Further, the deadfront article includes a contrast layer disposed onto the region. The contrast layer is configured to enhance visibility of the color(s) of the semi-transparent layer.