Operation Display Panel Light Guide for Thin-Layer Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing operation display panels with incorporated thin layers on display surfaces suffer from reduced visibility during light emission, necessitating improvements in light propagation and display performance.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a transparent conductive sheet with a touch sensor and a transparent substrate forming a light guiding path between the conductive sheet and a thin layer, utilizing micropores or fine fibers to enhance light propagation, and optionally using a light guide or lens array to improve display clarity and reduce light loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a thin layer is provided on the front surface of the display panel to achieve natural appearance and touch, then the visual harmony with space is improved, but the visibility at the time of light emission is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenatural appearanceVSAvoidvisibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

A transparent substrate forming a light guiding path is introduced as an intermediary component between the light emitting element and the thin layer. This light guide mediates the light transmission by efficiently conducting light straight through the thin layer to the display surface, thereby maintaining the natural appearance of the thin layer while ensuring sufficient visibility during light emission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent substrate is designed with specific optical properties that change light transmission characteristics. By controlling the transparency and light guiding properties of the substrate, the system maintains the aesthetic appearance of the thin layer while optimizing light transmission for visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Illumination intensity

If a light guide with through holes is used to improve visibility, then light emission visibility is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emission visibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent substrate is designed with a porous structure containing micropores that form light guiding paths. This porous configuration allows light to propagate efficiently straight through the substrate without requiring complex alignment mechanisms or additional through-hole structures, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining high visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent substrate combines multiple functions in a single component: it provides structural support, enables touch sensor integration, and acts as a light guide. This composite approach eliminates the need for separate light guide components with through holes, reducing manufacturing complexity while improving visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If the light emitting element array is miniaturized to increase pixel density, then the display resolution is improved, but the light output per pixel decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepixel densityVSAvoidlight output
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent substrate's light guiding properties are optimized to compensate for the reduced light output from miniaturized pixels. By adjusting the refractive index, transparency, and light guiding path design of the substrate, the system enhances the light extraction efficiency from each small pixel while maintaining high pixel density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances visibility and display performance by efficiently guiding light straight to the display surface, reducing costs, miniaturizing components, and improving pixel density while maintaining a natural appearance and feel.

Implementation Method 1

a transparent substrate that forms a light guiding path is disposed at an opening between a transparent conductive sheet and a thin layer, or at an opening between a transparent conductive sheet and a light emitting device array substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight guiding: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 2

the light of the light emitting element can be efficiently propagated straightly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight propagation: Light

Implementation Method 3

Said micropores are formed by lattice-like louvers. Preferably, a gap between the lattice-like louvers becomes a light waveguide along the optical axis of a light emitter arranged on the light emitter array substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight waveguide: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 4

a transparent conductive sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 5

the light of the light emitting element can be efficiently propagated straightly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 6

display panel with a touch sensor furnished with light emitting elements arranged in two dimensions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP4120226B1Product with built-in operation display panel
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 MUI LAB INC
  • EP4120226B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4120226B1 patent drawingFigure 3(1)~3(2)
  • EP4120226B1 patent drawingFigure 4(1)~4(2)

AI summary

The present invention provides a product with incorporated operation display panel that further improves visibility at the time of light emission. The product with incorporated operation display panel includes a transparent conductive sheet, a display panel with a touch sensor furnished at least with light emitting elements consisting of light emitting elements arranged in two dimensions and being the product with incorporated operation display panel furnished with a thin layer that covers the total or a part of the front surface of a display panel, and a transparent substrate that forms a light guiding path is disposed at an opening between a transparent conductive sheet and a thin layer, or at an opening between a transparent conductive sheet and a light emitting device array substrate. The transparent base has micropores provided in a resin base material made of a transparent resin, and the micropores are formed by a lattice-like louver.