Dimmable Display System with Sensor Feedback Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automotive displays face challenges in providing optimal visibility under varying light conditions, especially when the vehicle is in an off state, as existing solutions either lead to high display luminance under high ambient light or are prone to fingerprints with anti-reflection coatings.

Innovation Solution

A dimmable lens display system with a control system that adjusts light transmission based on measurements from multiple light sensors, including ambient and forward-looking sensors, to optimize display visibility by reducing luminance and preventing glare, using a dimmable lens with incremental transmission steps and a feedback control mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the display luminance is increased to improve visibility under high ambient light conditions, then the display becomes more visible, but the energy consumption increases and the display may cause glare to the viewer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay visibilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic dimmable lens that automatically adjusts its light transmission properties based on ambient light conditions detected by sensors. The lens transitions from a static optical element to a dynamic one that responds to environmental changes, optimizing display visibility while minimizing energy consumption by only increasing luminance when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs light sensors that continuously monitor ambient light conditions and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback loop enables the dimmable lens to automatically adjust its transmission characteristics, ensuring optimal display visibility under varying lighting conditions without requiring manual intervention or excessive energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Illumination intensity

If anti-reflection coatings are applied to reduce glare and improve visibility, then the display becomes more visible, but the coatings are prone to fingerprints and smudges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay visibilityVSAvoidcoating durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dimmable lens as an intermediary optical element between the display and the viewer. This lens provides the necessary optical functionality (controlling light transmission and reducing glare) without requiring fragile anti-reflection coatings on the display surface itself, thereby eliminating the fingerprint and smudge problem while maintaining visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If a dimmable lens is introduced to control light transmission dynamically, then energy consumption is reduced and visibility is optimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dimmable lens system is designed to be self-regulating, using light sensors to detect ambient conditions and automatically adjusting its transmission properties without requiring complex control algorithms or user intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously optimizing its performance based on environmental feedback, reducing the need for additional control complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Illumination intensity

If multiple light sensors are used to accurately measure ambient and forward light conditions, then display visibility is optimized, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay visibilityVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent strategically places light sensors in specific locations (ambient light sensor and forward light sensor) to measure the most relevant light conditions for display visibility. Rather than using multiple sensors throughout the system, the invention focuses sensing capabilities on the critical areas where light measurement directly impacts display optimization, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effectiveness.

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 system effectively reduces display luminance under high ambient light conditions while maintaining visibility, avoiding the drawbacks of high luminance and fingerprint issues, by dynamically adjusting light transmission to match ambient and external lighting conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a dimmable lens, the dimmable lens being disposed in the direction of light emission of the display element and being configured to reduce the transmission of light emitted by the display through the dimmable lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a third light sensor, the third light sensor being provided on the separate segment to determine the transmission rate of the dimmable lens at the separate segment, and the feedback control system being configured to adjust the light transmission rate of the dimmable lens based also on measured values from the third light sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3608707B1Dimmable display system
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • EP3608707B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3608707B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3608707B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A dimmable display system (10) and method (50) is provided which includes a display element (16) configured to emit light. The system and method also includes a dimmable substantially transparent layer or sheet (12) disposed in the direction of light emission of the display element and configured to control the transmission of light emitted by the display through the dimmable layer or sheet. The dimmable display system further comprises an automatic dimming control system (50) configured to change the transmission of light emitted by the display according to a plurality of light transmission incremental steps. The control system includes a feedback control system (100) configured to adjust the transmission of light through the dimmable lens based at least on the measured values of an ambient light sensor (26) and a forward looking light sensor (24).