Concealed Display Panel With Surface Member Light Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information display devices struggle to make the display panel invisible while allowing users to view information displayed on a surface member, as external light transmission through the surface member can obscure the panel's visibility.

Innovation Solution

The information display device employs a surface member with light transmitting properties that covers the display panel, using a reflection member like a half-mirror to transmit light from the panel internally while suppressing external light, and a touch panel for user interaction, ensuring the display panel remains hidden from view.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a surface member with light transmitting properties is used to cover the display panel, then the display panel becomes invisible and designability is improved, but external light transmission obscures the displayed information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of display panelVSAvoidexternal light transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

A reflection member (half-mirror) is introduced as an intermediary between the surface member and the display panel. This reflection member selectively transmits light from the display panel while reflecting external light, thereby mediating the conflict between making the display panel invisible and preventing external light from obscuring the displayed information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The surface member is designed with spatially varying optical properties: it is transparent in regions where display information is shown and opaque or reflective in regions where no information is displayed. This local differentiation allows the display panel to be invisible when off while maintaining visibility when on, resolving the contradiction between aesthetic integration and information visibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Shape

If the surface member attenuates light from the display panel to hide it, then the display panel becomes less visible, but the displayed information becomes harder to see

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of display panelVSAvoidvisibility of displayed information
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the optical state of the surface member based on the display panel's state. When the display panel is off, the surface member appears opaque or transparent to hide it; when the display panel is on, the surface member becomes transparent to allow information visibility. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between hiding the display panel and displaying information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 seamless integration of the display into the surrounding environment, maintaining visibility of the information while preventing the display panel from being perceived, enhancing design aesthetics and user interaction without visible seams or obstructions.

Implementation Method 1

a reflection member like a half-mirror to transmit light from the panel internally while suppressing external light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3726509B1Information display device
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3726509B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3726509B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3726509B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An information display device (1G) attachable to a structure includes a display panel (23) and a surface member (11). The display panel (23) has a display surface and displays information on the display surface. The surface member (11) is disposed on the display surface side of the display panel (23) and is in a state where only the information displayed on the display surface of the display panel (23) is visible through the surface member (11) when the display panel (23) is turned on. The surface member includes a first layer (71) disposed on a front side, and a second layer (72) that is disposed on the display panel (23) side with respect to the first layer (71) and adjusts light transmittance of the surface member (11).