Display Module Polarizer Stack for Sunglasses and Fingerprint Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Display devices with circular polarizers are incompatible with polarized sunglasses, causing light absorption and degradation of user experience.

Innovation Solution

A display module comprising a display panel, a first phase retarder, a linear polarizer, and a second phase retarder with through holes for pinhole imaging and fingerprint recognition, converting linearly polarized light to circularly polarized light to allow visibility through polarized sunglasses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a circular polarizer is used in the display device, then the display can reduce reflections and improve viewing angle, but the display becomes incompatible with polarized sunglasses causing light absorption and degradation of user experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with polarized sunglassesVSAvoidlight transmission intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The circular polarizer is segmented into two separate phase retarders (first and second phase retarders) positioned on opposite sides of the linear polarizer. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's function while maintaining overall compatibility with polarized sunglasses and preserving light transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-layer circular polarizer configuration to a multi-layer configuration with phase retarders positioned on both sides of the linear polarizer. This dimensional change in the optical stack enables the system to maintain compatibility with polarized sunglasses while preserving display performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a circular polarizer is used in the display device, then reflections are reduced and viewing angle is improved, but user experience is greatly degraded due to light absorption by polarized sunglasses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereflection reductionVSAvoiduser experience
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the circular polarizer into two phase retarders separated by a linear polarizer, the system maintains the reflection reduction benefits while eliminating the incompatibility with polarized sunglasses, thereby improving user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The linear polarizer acts as an intermediary between the two phase retarders, enabling the system to achieve both reflection reduction and compatibility with polarized sunglasses simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If through holes are added to the phase retarder for fingerprint recognition, then fingerprint recognition accuracy is enhanced through pinhole imaging, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint recognition accuracyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The phase retarder is designed to serve multiple functions: it maintains its optical function for polarization control while also incorporating through holes that enable fingerprint recognition through pinhole imaging. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and minimizes overall device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The fingerprint recognition function is merged with the phase retarder structure by integrating through holes directly into the phase retarder layer, eliminating the need for separate fingerprint sensing components and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 clear viewing through polarized sunglasses by converting linearly polarized light to circularly polarized light, while enhancing fingerprint recognition accuracy through pinhole imaging.

Implementation Method 1

a first phase retarder located on a side of an out-light surface of the display panel; a linear polarizer located on a side of the first phase retarder facing away from the display panel; and a second phase retarder covering a side of the linear polarizer facing away from the display panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase retardation: Birefringence

Implementation Method 2

at least one of the second phase retarder and the linear polarizer includes a plurality of first through holes for implementing pinhole imaging

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPinhole imaging: Geometry

Data Source

PatentEP3832362B1Display module and display device
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3832362B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP3832362B1 patent drawingFigure 2b
  • EP3832362B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

A display module and a display device, the display module comprising: a display panel (100), the display panel (100) being an organic electroluminescent display panel; a first phase retardation plate (210) that is located at a side of a light emergent surface of the display panel (100); a linear polarizing plate (220) that is located at a side of the first phase retardation plate (210) facing away from the display panel (100); and a second phase retardation plate (300) that covers a side of the linear polarizing plate (220) facing away from the display panel (100).