Image Transport Layer for Curved Displays

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices with displays often have aesthetic and performance issues due to bulky and unattractive designs, particularly with light-emitting components that do not effectively transport images from an input surface to an output surface without spreading laterally.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an image transport layer formed from a coherent fiber bundle or Anderson localization material that receives images from a display's input surface and transports them to an output surface, allowing for curved and borderless display configurations while maintaining image integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If traditional light-emitting components are used, then the display can emit light, but the device becomes bulky and unattractive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay thicknessVSAvoidimage transport quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The display structure is segmented into distinct functional layers: a light-emitting component layer and an image transport layer. This segmentation allows the light-emitting component to be thin while the image transport layer handles the optical quality, resolving the contradiction between thinness and image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An image transport layer acts as an intermediary between the light-emitting component and the viewer. This intermediate layer transports the emitted light in a controlled manner, enabling thin display construction while maintaining reliable image quality through the mediating optical transport function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional light transport methods are used, then light can be transmitted, but the image spreads laterally and loses quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage transport precisionVSAvoidoptical layer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image transport layer exhibits local quality variations through spatially varying refractive indices or fiber densities. This local differentiation allows precise control of light transport paths, maintaining image precision without requiring complex overall structural arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The image transport layer uses composite material structures combining different optical properties (e.g., fibers with varying refractive indices, or Anderson localization materials). This composite approach achieves precise image transport control through material composition rather than complex geometric arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Shape

If curved display configurations are implemented, then aesthetic appeal increases, but image integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay curvatureVSAvoidimage fidelity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The image transport layer is designed to accommodate curved geometries through its inherent optical properties. The layer can be conformally mapped to curved surfaces while maintaining controlled light transport paths, enabling curved display configurations that preserve image fidelity through geometric adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical parameters of the image transport layer (such as refractive index distribution or fiber orientation) are varied to match the curved geometry. This parameter adaptation allows the layer to maintain precise image transport control even when conforming to curved display configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 image transport layer enhances device aesthetics and performance by enabling curved displays that can be viewed from various angles, providing a borderless appearance and preserving image quality by preventing lateral spreading of light.

Implementation Method 1

The image transport layer may be formed from a coherent fiber bundle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The image transport layer may alternatively not be covered by a display cover layer and may form an exterior surface of the electronic device. The image transport layer may be formed from a coherent fiber bundle or Anderson localization material.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnderson localization:

Data Source

PatentUS11619779B1Methods for forming image transport layers

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 APPLE INC

AI summary

An electronic device may have a display with pixels configured to display an image. An image transport layer may be formed from a coherent fiber bundle or Anderson localization material. The image transport layer may overlap the pixels and may have an input surface that receives the image from the pixels and a corresponding output surface on which the received image is viewable. The image transport layer may form an exterior surface of the electronic device or may be overlapped by a transparent cover layer. Various methods such as swelling, piping, and slumping may be used to process fibers and form image transport layers. A fiber bundle that is used to form an image transport layer may include fibers that have varying properties.