Hybrid Projection OLED Display for Arbitrary Screen Shapes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional display systems fail to provide superior image quality while supporting arbitrary screen sizes and non-planar surfaces, particularly in aircraft applications, due to limitations in active display screens that are typically rectangular and economically unfeasible for non-rectangular shapes.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid projection display system that uses a controller to process image signals and generate optical signals, comprising a matrix of display elements with photo transistors and OLEDs, allowing for flexible screen shapes and sizes by synchronizing screen controls with optical signals to activate display elements effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If traditional active display screens (LCD/OLED) are used to meet optical performance requirements, then image quality is improved, but screen shape is restricted to rectangular forms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidscreen shape flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is divided into multiple independently controllable display elements (pixels) that can be selectively activated. Each pixel contains its own control circuitry, allowing individual or grouped activation to form various shapes. This segmentation enables the screen to display rectangular, circular, triangular, or custom shapes by controlling which pixels are active, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining optical quality and achieving shape flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Shape

If rear projection display systems with passive diffuser screens are used to achieve arbitrary shapes, then screen shape flexibility is improved, but image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen shape flexibilityVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an active diffuser screen as an intermediary component between the projection system and the viewer. This active diffuser incorporates display elements with photo transistors and OLEDs that can be selectively activated by optical signals. The intermediary actively controls light distribution and pixel activation, thereby maintaining high image quality while enabling arbitrary screen shapes, thus resolving the contradiction between shape flexibility and image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If non-rectangular LCD or OLED displays are manufactured to achieve arbitrary shapes, then screen shape flexibility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen shape flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing feasibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of manufacturing custom-shaped display panels, the patent uses a standard rectangular panel and selectively activates only the required pixels to create the desired shape. The inactive pixels are simply turned off, creating the appearance of custom shapes without requiring custom manufacturing. This copying approach uses software control to replicate various shapes on a standard hardware platform, dramatically reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining shape flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Area of stationary object

If multiple image sources or projectors are used to create one big display image, then screen area is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay areaVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple projector systems into a single integrated projection display system that shares common control circuitry and synchronization mechanisms. The controller coordinates multiple image sources to project onto a single active diffuser screen, combining their outputs into one unified large-area display. This merging approach maintains large display area capability while reducing overall system complexity through integrated control and shared components.

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 system achieves superior image quality and flexibility in supporting arbitrary screen sizes and non-planar surfaces, enhancing brightness and efficiency by allowing 100% duty cycle for color pixels and enabling activation of all display elements simultaneously, surpassing traditional projection systems.

Implementation Method 1

each pixel comprising a light sensor, an OLED, and a transistor coupled between the light sensor and the OLED

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

an organic light emitting diode (OLED) that meet the optical performance requirements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3139371B1Hybrid projection/OLED display
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP3139371B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1A
  • EP3139371B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3139371B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A hybrid projection display system that provides image quality superior to that of a traditional projection display system is provided. The provided hybrid projection display system flexibly supports arbitrary screen sizes and non-planar screen surfaces.