Flexible Symbol Display With Optical Path Separation and Touch Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional luminous display devices are not flexible and lack direct input capabilities, limiting their application in various environments where a soft and flexible interface is required.
Innovation Solution
A flexible display device with a light-transmissive member, featuring a skin that transmits light to represent symbols and a light-shielding wall to separate optical paths, allowing for input through an electrostatic sensor and a deformable structure that can be manipulated by a user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional luminous display device uses a rigid light guide and light-shielding structure, then light transmission and optical path separation are effective, but the device lacks flexibility and cannot be disposed in flexible surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid light guides and light-shielding structures with flexible alternatives. The light guide is replaced by a light-transmissive flexible member, and the light-shielding structure is replaced by a light-shielding wall made of flexible material that can be disposed within the flexible member, enabling the entire display device to be flexible while maintaining optical path separation functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and material properties of the light guide and light-shielding structures from rigid to flexible. By selecting flexible materials with appropriate optical properties and adjusting their physical parameters, the device achieves both flexibility and effective optical path separation
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible display device is created without input capabilities, then flexibility is achieved, but the device lacks direct user interaction functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the flexible display device by incorporating an electrostatic sensor that enables touch input capabilities. The same flexible structure serves both as the display medium and as the input interface, allowing the device to function as both output and input device without requiring separate complex input mechanisms
3Reliability
If a light-shielding wall is disposed in a flexible member, then optical paths are separated effectively, but the light-shielding wall may create noticeable hard edges that reduce user comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a light-shielding wall made of flexible material that can be disposed within the flexible member. The flexible nature of the light-shielding wall allows it to conform to the flexible member without creating rigid structures, thereby maintaining optical path separation while avoiding noticeable hard edges that would reduce user comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the light-shielding wall at specific locations within the flexible member where optical path separation is needed, while maintaining flexibility in other areas. This localized approach ensures effective light shielding where required while preserving overall flexibility and user comfort
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 a soft and flexible input interface that can be used in diverse settings, providing effective light guidance and separation of optical paths while allowing for user interaction without noticeable hard edges, enhancing usability and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible member having a light-transmissive property, a plurality of first light sources disposed on a side of a first surface of the flexible member, the first light sources outputting light toward the flexible member
Implementation Method 2
a light guide that changes light incident from a first surface into diffused light and emits the light from a second surface
Implementation Method 3
a first light-shielding wall at least part of which is disposed in the flexible member, the first light-shielding wall separating a plurality of first optical paths extending from the plurality of first light sources to the plurality of first transmission areas
Implementation Method 4
a skin disposed on a side of a second surface of the flexible member opposite from the first surface, the skin including a plurality of first transmission areas that transmit the light output from the plurality of first light sources and passing through the flexible member as light representing shapes of a plurality of first symbols in plan view
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a flexible member having a light-transmissive property, a plurality of first light sources disposed on a side of a first surface of the flexible member, the first light sources outputting light toward the flexible member, a skin disposed on a side of a second surface of the flexible member opposite from the first surface, the skin including a plurality of first transmission areas that transmit the light output from the plurality of first light sources and passing through the flexible member as light representing shapes of a plurality of first symbols in plan view, and a first light-shielding wall at least part of which is disposed in the flexible member, the first light-shielding wall separating a plurality of first optical paths extending from the plurality of first light sources to the plurality of first transmission areas.