Digitized OLED Light Source with Patterned Image Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current OLED technologies face challenges in efficiently producing saturated colors for full-color displays, particularly in achieving uniform emissive properties across pixels, which affects the quality and accuracy of color representation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves depositing a patterned image layer within OLEDs between the anode and cathode, which modifies the emission properties of the organic layer to create a digitized OLED light source. This layer is designed to alter the emissive properties locally, inhibiting or modifying light emission to form images, using materials like insulating, down-conversion, or resistive materials, and is deposited in a manner that simulates continuous-tone imagery through halftone processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional OLED materials and configurations are used to produce saturated colors, then color emission can be achieved, but uniform emissive properties across pixels are difficult to obtain, affecting color accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a patterned image layer as an intermediary component between the OLED structure and the viewer. This layer contains pixel elements with varying optical properties (transparent, translucent, opaque) that mediate the light emission to achieve uniform grayscale and color representation across all pixels, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing uniformity and color accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patterned image layer applies local quality variations within each pixel element to control light transmission and emission properties. Different regions of the pixel element have different optical characteristics, enabling precise control over the emitted light to achieve uniform emissive properties and accurate color representation
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 approach enables the creation of high-resolution, grayscale, and contrast-rich images by varying the size, shape, and spacing of patterned image layer portions, effectively simulating continuous-tone imagery and achieving accurate color representation with improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
OLEDs make use of thin organic films that emit light when voltage is applied across the device
Implementation Method 2
The first patterned image layer may comprise a material such that it may locally alter the emissive properties of the first organic layer
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein may provide for devices comprising a digitized OLED light source (900) and/or methods of manufacturing such devices. In some embodiments, a first method may be provided. The first method may include the steps of depositing a first conductive layer (902) over a substrate (901), depositing a first organic layer (904) comprising electroluminescent material over the first conductive layer, and depositing a first patterned image layer (903) over some but not all of the first conductive layer. The first patterned image layer may locally alter the emissive properties of the first organic layer, and the shape of the first patterned image layer may be based on a non-uniform visual image. The first method may further comprise the step of depositing a second conductive layer (905) over the first organic layer.