Display Device Behind Veneer Panel Using Pixel Map Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated computing devices in everyday items often require visible displays, which can detract from aesthetics and are poorly addressed by existing solutions like shutters or translucent panels that are inconvenient or interfere with image quality.

Innovation Solution

A method where a processor receives a pixel map of a pattern, such as a woodgrain pattern, to align image features on a display device, allowing the image to be visible through a veneer by classifying areas suitable and unsuitable for image presentation, and adjusting light intensity accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a display is made visible on the surface of an item, then user interaction is facilitated, but aesthetics of the item deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interactionVSAvoidaesthetics
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the veneer panel selectively transparent in specific regions while maintaining opacity in others. The processor identifies suitable areas on the veneer panel and renders display content only in those regions, allowing user interaction areas to be visible while preserving the aesthetic appearance of other areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Shape

If shutters or doors are placed over the display, then aesthetics are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaestheticsVSAvoidease of use
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the physical shutter or door mechanism entirely from the system. Instead of using mechanical components to hide the display, the invention uses software-based selective transparency of the veneer panel, eliminating the need for moving parts while maintaining aesthetic coverage and operational accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Shape

If translucent panels are placed over the display, then aesthetics are improved, but image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaestheticsVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the veneer panel selectively transparent in specific regions while maintaining opacity in others. The processor identifies suitable areas on the veneer panel and renders display content only in those regions, allowing user interaction areas to be visible while preserving the aesthetic appearance of other areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Shape

If translucent panels are placed over the display, then aesthetics are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaestheticsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the physical shutter or door mechanism entirely from the system. Instead of using mechanical components to hide the display, the invention uses software-based selective transparency of the veneer panel, eliminating the need for moving parts while maintaining aesthetic coverage and operational accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4446865A1Display device behind veneer panel and methods for operating same
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 JOYSONQUIN AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA LLC
  • EP4446865A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4446865A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4446865A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A visual display covered by a veneer displays information in a manner that the information is not obscured by a pattern that appears in the veneer. To do this, a processor receives a pixel map of the pattern. When the processor receives a command to display an image, the processor will process the image to align: (a) a first set of features of the image to regions of a display device that correspond to first class areas in the pixel map; and (b) a second set of features of the image to regions of the display device that correspond to the second areas in the pixel map. The processor will then cause the display device to display the processed image while the veneer that exhibits the pattern is positioned over the display device.