Dual-Mode Display Switching Between Reflective and Transmissive Modes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Display devices face challenges in maintaining visibility and low power consumption, especially in bright outdoor environments, as transmissive displays require constant power for illumination and reflective displays have limitations in color representation and low light conditions.

Innovation Solution

A display device that automatically switches between reflective and transmissive modes based on illumination levels, using external light when bright and internal light when dim, with a second display panel employing cholesteric liquid crystals to minimize power consumption and improve visibility and color representation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the luminance of the display device is increased to prevent reduction in visibility under bright external light, then visibility is improved, but power consumption is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The display device dynamically switches between reflective and transmissive modes based on ambient illumination levels. In bright outdoor environments, the reflective mode is activated to utilize external light, reducing power consumption while maintaining visibility. In low light conditions, the transmissive mode with internal light source is activated to ensure proper display quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes its operational parameters by switching between two distinct display modes: reflective mode for bright conditions and transmissive mode for dim conditions. This parameter change allows the display to adapt to different environmental lighting conditions, optimizing both visibility and power consumption for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If a transmissive display device uses internal light to display images, then visibility in low light conditions is improved, but power consumption cannot be minimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility in low lightVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The display device dynamically switches between reflective and transmissive modes based on ambient illumination levels. In bright outdoor environments, the reflective mode is activated to utilize external light, reducing power consumption while maintaining visibility. In low light conditions, the transmissive mode with internal light source is activated to ensure proper display quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The display device combines both reflective and transmissive display capabilities in a single device, allowing it to function effectively in both bright and dim lighting conditions. This multi-functionality enables the device to adapt to various environmental conditions without requiring separate display devices.

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

3Illumination intensity

If a reflective display device uses external light to display images, then visibility in outdoor environment is improved, but color representation and low light visibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility in outdoorVSAvoidcolor representation and low light adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display device dynamically switches between reflective and transmissive modes based on ambient illumination levels. In bright outdoor environments, the reflective mode is activated to utilize external light, reducing power consumption while maintaining visibility. In low light conditions, the transmissive mode with internal light source is activated to ensure proper display quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The display device combines both reflective and transmissive display capabilities in a single device, allowing it to function effectively in both bright and dim lighting conditions. This multi-functionality enables the device to adapt to various environmental conditions without requiring separate display devices.

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

4Manufacturing precision

If multiple liquid crystal layers are stacked to improve display performance, then image quality is improved, but manufacturing complexity and material cost are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of multiple liquid crystal layers into a single liquid crystal layer that can operate in both reflective and transmissive modes. This merging reduces the number of components, simplifies manufacturing, and lowers material costs while maintaining display performance through the dual-mode capability of the single layer.

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

The solution provides clear images in various lighting conditions while reducing power consumption, enhancing visibility and color accuracy, and simplifying manufacturing with a single liquid crystal layer, thus addressing the limitations of existing display technologies.

Implementation Method 1

a second display panel (320) which displays an image using a liquid crystal layer (327) without using an intermediate film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCholesteric liquid crystal reflection: Cholesteric Liquid Crystal

Implementation Method 2

A reflective display device displays certain information by reflecting external light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a first display panel (310) which displays an image using internal light generated by a light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission through liquid crystal: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentEP3028268B1Display device and method for controlling the same
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3028268B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3028268B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a
  • EP3028268B1 patent drawingFigure 4b~5

AI summary

A display device which may operate as a reflective display device which uses external light without separate power supply at an illumination level equal to or greater than a certain illumination level, and which may operate as a transmissive display device which uses internal light at an illumination level less than the certain illumination level to provide a clear image in an outdoor environment and a dark indoor environment. Power consumption may be minimized by automatically switching the display mode depending on the illumination level.