Energy-Saving Reflective Display Devices With Light-Guide Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic price and product display devices, such as electronic shelf labels (ESLs), lack the ability to attract heightened attention from viewers, especially casual observers, and are difficult to manage and maintain due to their passive, non-self-illuminating nature.
Innovation Solution
An electronic display device with a reflective screen and a signaling device that uses a light guide to superimpose a light signal on the displayed information, allowing dynamic light signals to enhance visibility and attention, and incorporates communication protocols for remote management and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a reflective screen is used for displaying information, then energy consumption is reduced and battery lifespan is extended, but the ability to attract viewer attention is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by enabling the reflective screen to flash or pulse at predetermined intervals. This periodic illumination pattern allows the screen to maintain its energy-efficient reflective nature while periodically attracting viewer attention through dynamic light changes, resolving the contradiction between low energy consumption and ability to capture attention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning the static reflective screen into a dynamically controllable system that can change its illumination state. Through control electronics, the screen can switch between reflective mode and active illumination mode, allowing it to adapt its behavior to attract attention when needed while maintaining energy efficiency during normal operation.
2Illumination intensity
If the screen is completely covered by a light guide, then uniform illumination is achieved, but the displayed information becomes less readable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing a light guide that covers only a portion of the reflective screen rather than the entire surface. This partial coverage allows the light guide to provide enhanced illumination and attention-attracting effects in specific areas while leaving other areas covered by the reflective screen, thereby maintaining information readability and preventing complete obscuration of displayed content.
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 device effectively attracts viewer attention to the displayed information and simplifies maintenance by using dynamic light signals and communication protocols, improving readability and reducing the time required for identifying and correcting issues.
Implementation Method 1
The signaling device has a light guide that is mounted or oriented with respect to the screen such that the screen is only partially covered by the light guide
Implementation Method 2
Since this type of screen is generally reflective, meaning passive and non-self-illuminating, the information it displays can only be presented with sufficient contrast when adequately illuminated by external light sources
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic price and/or product information display device (2) which comprises a reflective screen (21) for displaying information, and a signaling unit (28) for signaling an internal state or a change in state of the display device (2), said signaling device superposing the displayed information in a visually perceptible fashion in the direct viewing direction onto the screen.