Deadfront Optical Layer Stack for Color-Neutral Display Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing deadfronting techniques in display applications often result in color distortion of images due to uneven light absorption by layers, failing to provide a uniform appearance in reflection and transmission without significantly impacting optical transmission performance.

Innovation Solution

A deadfront article comprising a substrate with a first ink layer, an intermediate layer, and a second ink layer, where the intermediate layer has an average reflectance of greater than or equal to 1.0% over a specific wavelength range, and the second ink layer is designed to suppress deviations in the appearance of the first ink layer in transmission, ensuring minimal color distortion and a uniform optical appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If existing deadfronting films or layers are applied to lower optical transmission and provide unified appearance, then the deadfront appearance is improved, but color distortion in transmitted images occurs due to uneven light absorption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeadfront appearanceVSAvoidcolor distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The deadfront assembly is segmented into multiple functional layers: a first ink layer for providing deadfront appearance, an intermediate layer with specific reflectance properties, and a second ink layer with color correction regions. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction between achieving deadfront appearance and preventing color distortion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second ink layer is applied with spatially varying optical properties - certain regions have higher optical density to correct color distortion in specific areas where the first ink layer causes greater absorption. This local quality approach ensures that color distortion is suppressed precisely where needed while maintaining the overall deadfront appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Shape

If existing deadfront assemblies are used to hide display components, then the unified appearance is achieved, but optical transmission performance is significantly impacted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunified appearanceVSAvoidoptical transmission performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate layer is designed with a specific reflectance parameter (greater than or equal to 1.0% over 400-700 nm wavelength range) to optimize the balance between deadfront appearance and optical transmission. This parameter control allows the assembly to maintain unified appearance while preserving sufficient light transmission for display functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple ink layers are applied to correct color distortion, then color accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor accuracyVSAvoidlayer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate layer acts as a mediator between the first ink layer (for deadfront appearance) and the second ink layer (for color correction). This intermediary layer with controlled reflectance properties facilitates the interaction between the two ink layers, enabling color distortion suppression while maintaining a manageable overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 minimizes color distortion in images transmitted through the deadfront assembly, maintaining a uniform appearance in reflection and transmission while providing a low optical transmission to conceal display components when not in use.

Implementation Method 1

the intermediate layer exhibits an average reflectance of greater than or equal to 1.0% over a wavelength range from 400 nm to 700 nm for light initially incident on a surface of the intermediate layer most proximate to the substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

Certain existing deadfront assemblies can alter the appearance of images rendered by the display panel due to the manner in which the layers absorb the light emitted by the display panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS12115769B2Deadfront articles with multi-layer optical structures and associated methods

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 CORNING INC

AI summary

Described herein are deadfront assemblies that are configured to exhibit variable transmission and reflection performance attributes. The deadfront assemblies described herein comprise a first ink layer, an intermediate layer, and a second ink layer. The intermediate layer is disposed between the first and second ink layers and is configured to reflect light that is transmitted through the first ink layer back through the first ink layer so that one or more colors of the ink in the first ink layer is visible in the reflected light. The second ink layer is configured to counteract deviations in optical transmission caused by the first ink layer so that light transmitted through the deadfront assembly is not perceptively altered in color. Overlapping regions of the first and second ink layers comprise inverse appearance attributes so that light output from a light source and transmitted through the deadfront assembly has a desired appearance.