Display Light Intensity Control Using Reflective Polarizers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic displays face challenges in calibrating and controlling LED zones for optimal contrast and light intensity adjustments, leading to suboptimal visibility and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a microcontroller to adjust a liquid crystal layer between transmissive states, combined with reflective and linear polarizers, and a diffuser to distribute light uniformly, allowing for local dimming at the pixel level and enhancing light profile transitions, thereby improving light intensity control and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If LED zones are used to control light intensity, then local dimming capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to calibration and control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The backlight is divided into multiple independently controllable LED zones that can be dimmed locally. Each zone can be controlled separately to achieve local dimming effects, improving illumination control while managing complexity through modular segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display are provided with different light intensities by controlling specific LED zones. This allows local areas to have optimized brightness levels independent of other regions, achieving superior contrast and visibility in specific zones without affecting the entire display.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional polarizers are used, then light filtering is achieved, but light loss increases reducing optical efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using conventional absorbing polarizers that block unwanted polarized light, the patent employs reflective polarizers that bounce unwanted polarized light back through the liquid crystal layer. This inverted approach allows the rejected light to be recovered and reused, significantly reducing light loss and improving overall optical efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective polarizer system recovers light that would otherwise be discarded by conventional polarizers. By reflecting unwanted polarized light back through the display stack, the system enables this light to be reused, thereby recovering energy and improving optical efficiency.
3Illumination intensity
If sharp light transitions are used between lit and unlit pixels, then contrast is improved, but visibility deteriorates due to abrupt boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
A soft edge layer is positioned between the lit and unlit regions to provide a gradual light transition zone. This cushioning layer softens the abrupt boundary by creating a progressive fade between illuminated and dark areas, maintaining high contrast while eliminating visible harsh edges that would reduce overall visibility and comfort.
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 dynamic control of light intensity, reduces power consumption, and enhances visibility by creating a gradual light transition between lit and unlit pixels, achieving a higher contrast ratio and improved energy efficiency compared to conventional displays.
Implementation Method 1
The microcontroller executes instructions to adjust the liquid crystal layer of the first display unit between a first transmissive state and a second transmissive state
Implementation Method 2
A diffusing element is disposed proximate an upper surface of the backlight housing, wherein the diffusing element cooperates with the backlight to distribute light generated by the one or more light emitting elements or reflected from the one or more reflective portions of the backlight
Implementation Method 3
At least one reflective polarizer cooperates with one or more of the upper substrate and the lower substrate
Implementation Method 4
The at least one linear polarizer of the second display unit includes a first linear polarizer having a body including an upper surface cooperating with the lower substrate of the second display unit and an opposing lower surface and a second linear polarizer
Data Source
AI summary
A display system includes a backlight. A first display unit is disposed proximate the backlight. The first display unit may include a plurality of pixels. Around each pixel, the display system may include a matrix structure. A reflective polarizer may cooperate with a substrate of the first display unit. A second display unit is disposed proximate the first display unit. A microcontroller may be coupled to one or more of the backlight, the first display unit and the second display unit.