Vehicle Display Backlight Zoning for Fewer LEDs and Better Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital display screens with large surfaces are costly due to the high number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) required for backlighting, and they struggle to balance image performance and cost, particularly in automotive displays where fixed image content is common.
Innovation Solution
A digital display screen with a backlighting device that comprises a plurality of lighting zones of different areas, where each zone has a unique light source controllable for intensity, allowing for tailored lighting to match the resolution and contrast needs of various display regions while reducing the total number of LEDs and enhancing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a large number of LEDs are used for backlighting a large surface display, then the image quality and contrast are improved, but the cost and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The backlighting device is divided into multiple independently controllable lighting zones instead of using a uniform array of LEDs across the entire display surface. Each lighting zone corresponds to a specific region of the display and can be controlled separately, allowing high-resolution backlighting only where needed while reducing the total number of LEDs required.
Solution Approach 2:
Different lighting zones are assigned different area sizes based on the local requirements of the display regions they serve. Critical information regions receive lighting zones with smaller areas for higher resolution, while decorative regions receive lighting zones with larger areas. This local differentiation optimizes image quality where needed while reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the zone size is reduced to improve image performance, then the resolution and contrast are enhanced, but the number of LEDs increases and cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different zone sizes locally across the display based on content requirements. Critical information regions use smaller lighting zones for high resolution, while decorative regions use larger lighting zones. This selective approach achieves high resolution only where necessary, avoiding the need to increase the total number of LEDs across the entire display.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the lighting intensity and activation of different lighting zones based on the displayed content. When critical information is displayed in a region, the corresponding lighting zone is activated with appropriate intensity. When decorative content is displayed, larger zones can be used with reduced intensity, optimizing the balance between resolution and LED count.
3Device complexity
If a standard continuous illuminated rectangular backlight is used, then the system is simple and cost-effective, but the image contrast and black level performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single continuous backlight, the system segments the backlight into multiple independent lighting zones that can be individually controlled. This allows specific zones to be dimmed or turned off to create true black levels in regions displaying dark content, significantly improving image contrast while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting zones are activated and deactivated periodically based on the content being displayed in each region. When a region displays dark or black content, the corresponding lighting zone is turned off or dimmed, creating true black levels. When bright content is displayed, the lighting zone is activated. This dynamic periodic control improves contrast without requiring a complex continuously variable backlight system.
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 solution enables the digital display screen to achieve satisfactory performance while being economical to produce, by reducing the number of LEDs and improving reliability, and it effectively addresses the challenges of cost and performance in automotive displays.
Implementation Method 1
The support comprises a light-guiding layer, the light sources being covered and/or embedded in the light-guiding layer
Implementation Method 2
each of the zone barriers being configured for blocking at least part of the light hitting the zone barrier
Implementation Method 3
A digital display screen with a backlighting device that comprises a plurality of lighting zones of different areas, where each zone has a unique light source
Implementation Method 4
each of the first light emitting diode has a first light emitting surface, wherein the first light emitting surface of each first light emitting diode has a first area
Data Source
AI summary
A digital display screen having an image displaying element and a backlighting device configured to backlight the image displaying element. The backlighting device defines a plurality of lighting zones, each lighting zone comprising one light source controllable to adjust the lighting intensity generated by the lighting zone. The lighting zones include at least one first lighting zone defining a first lighting surface having a first area and at least one second lighting zone defining a second lighting surface having a second area, the second area being strictly smaller than the first area.