Display Backlight Layout With Integrated IR Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

In mobile devices, the integration of infrared (IR) lighting for identification purposes often requires significant space, reducing the available area for the display screen, and existing solutions for IR lighting are inefficient and consume additional space with light guides.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device that integrates IR LEDs into a backlighting system with visible LEDs, using a light guide to redirect light for efficient IR illumination across the display screen, allowing for full-face coverage without a separate IR light source, optimizing display screen size and providing homogeneous illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate IR light source is integrated into the mobile device for identification purposes, then IR illumination capability is improved, but the available area for the display screen is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIR illumination capabilityVSAvoiddisplay screen area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the IR LED and visible LED into a single integrated lighting device assembly. The IR LED and visible LED are mounted together on the same circuit board or substrate, sharing common structural support and electrical connection elements. This merging of previously separate components into one integrated unit reduces the total space required while maintaining both IR illumination and visible display functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated lighting device serves multiple functions: the visible LED provides illumination for the display screen, the IR LED provides illumination for biometric identification, and both share the same mounting structure and electrical connection system. This multi-functional design allows a single component assembly to replace what would traditionally require separate dedicated components, thereby conserving space for the display screen.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If light guides are used to redirect IR light around the display screen, then IR illumination is achieved, but the efficiency is reduced and additional space is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIR illumination distributionVSAvoidlighting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the light guide component from the IR illumination path. Instead of using light guides to redirect IR light around the display screen, the IR LED is positioned to illuminate the display screen directly. This extraction of the light guide element simplifies the optical path, removes the efficiency losses associated with light guide materials and interfaces, and reduces the space required for IR illumination components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables efficient IR illumination for identification purposes without restricting the display screen size, as the IR LEDs are integrated into the backlighting system, providing effective IR lighting without the need for a separate IR light source, thus maximizing the display area.

Implementation Method 1

The light guide is configured to redirect light entering the light entry face towards the light exit face

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

at least one visible LED capable to emit light in the visible range... at least one IR LED capable to emit light in the IR range

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode effect: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3908781B1Lighting device for backlighting of display screen
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 LUMILEDS HLDG BV
  • EP3908781B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3908781B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP3908781B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The invention refers to a lighting device for providing backlighting to a display screen (4). The object to provide a lighting device for providing illumination in the IR range, wherein the lighting device optimizes the available space for the display screen (4), is solved in that the lighting device comprises: a light guide (10) comprising at least one light entry face (12) and a light exit face (14), wherein the light guide (10) is configured to redirect light entering the light entry face (12) towards the light exit face (14), wherein the light exit face (14) is configured to be coupled to a back side of a display screen (4); at least one visible light-emitting diode (LED) (18) capable to emit light in the visible range, wherein the visible LED (18) is optically coupled to at least one light entry face (12); and at least one infrared (IR) LED (20) capable to emit light in the IR range, wherein the at least one IR LED (20) is configured to provide illumination for the light exit face (14). The invention further corresponds to an electronic device comprising the lighting device (9) according to the invention and a display screen (4). The invention also relates to a use of a lighting device (9) for optical identification and a light-emitting element (26).