Electroluminescent Display Dual Array Viewing Angle Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electro-luminescent displays face challenges in achieving low power consumption while maintaining a wide viewing angle, as they typically require high power to provide illumination over a full 180-degree field of view, and existing solutions that reduce power consumption, such as using micro-lenses, compromise on the wide viewing angle or necessitate a high density of individually-addressable light-emitting elements.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual array of light-emitting elements with different optical elements, where one array directs light into a narrow cone using lenses and the other emits light over a diffuse angle, coupled with a driver circuit that selectively activates elements to reduce power consumption and maintain a wide viewing angle, without increasing the density of light-emitting elements or row and column drivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If EL displays provide luminance over a full 180-degree field of view, then wide viewing angle is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display is divided into multiple light-emitting elements arranged in arrays, with each element having its own optical element (micro-lens). This segmentation allows selective activation of elements to provide wide viewing angle only when needed, rather than continuously illuminating all elements for omnidirectional viewing.
Solution Approach 2:
The display dynamically switches between different operating modes: full wide viewing angle mode (when multiple viewers are present), narrow cone mode (when single viewer is present), and intermediate modes. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize power consumption based on actual viewing conditions while maintaining wide viewing angle capability when required.
2Use of energy by moving object
If micro-lenses are applied to focus light into narrow cones, then power consumption decreases, but viewing angle becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
Each light-emitting element can dynamically switch between emitting light through its micro-lens (narrow cone, low power) and emitting light directly without the lens (wide angle, higher power). This dynamic switching allows the display to adapt its viewing angle characteristics based on real-time viewing conditions, resolving the contradiction between power consumption and viewing angle.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display can operate with different optical characteristics simultaneously. Some light-emitting elements use their micro-lenses to create narrow cones for power efficiency, while others emit broadly for wide viewing angle, allowing local optimization based on viewing requirements.
3Use of energy by moving object
If sparse array of micro-lenses is used, then power consumption is reduced, but wide viewing angle capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The display maintains the capability to provide wide viewing angle on demand by allowing any light-emitting element to emit without its micro-lens when needed. The sparse array operates in narrow cone mode for power efficiency, but the system can dynamically activate wide-angle emission from appropriate elements to restore wide viewing angle capability when multiple viewers are detected.
4Use of energy by moving object
If high density array of individually-addressable light-emitting elements is used, then wide viewing angle with power reduction is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light-emitting elements are combined into pixel groups where elements share common row and column drivers. This merging reduces the overall number of individually-addressable elements needed while maintaining the capability for selective activation. The patent uses arrays of light-emitting elements with shared drive circuits to reduce complexity compared to fully individually-addressable high-density arrays.
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 configuration allows for a significant reduction in power consumption while preserving a wide viewing angle, enabling the creation of high-resolution displays with reduced power usage and lower-cost manufacturing, without introducing undesirable artifacts.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the light-emitting elements within the first array of light-emitting elements includes a first optical element for directing the light into a first viewing cone
Implementation Method 2
the electro-luminescent display, which is formed by coating a thin layer of electro-luminescent material between a pair of electrodes. Displays employing this technology produce light as a function of the current between the two electrodes when the electro-luminescent materials are electrically stimulated
Data Source
AI summary
An electro-luminescent display includes a first array of light-emitting elements. Each of these light-emitting elements has an optical element. A second array of light-emitting elements also includes a second optical element different from the first. One or more row lines are electrically connected to either light-emitting elements in the first array of light-emitting elements or light-emitting elements in the second array of light-emitting elements. One or more column lines provide a data signal to the first and second array of light-emitting elements. A driver circuit delivers common information to the light-emitting elements in both the first and second arrays in response to a select signal for activating light-emitting elements in the first or second arrays.