Light Emission Layer for Reflective Display Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reflective displays, such as electrophoretic displays, perform poorly in low-light conditions due to their reliance on ambient light, limiting their usability in environments with insufficient illumination.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a light emission layer with electrodes in front of a reflective display panel, which can include light emitting diodes or organic light emitting diodes, to generate and distribute light, and optionally a light diffusion layer to enhance visibility, allowing for controlled illumination and improved visibility in low-light environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If reflective display relies on ambient light, then power consumption is reduced, but visibility in low-light conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a reflective display with a light emission layer to create a hybrid display system. The light emission layer (containing LEDs or OLEDs) is integrated behind the reflective display panel, merging two different display technologies - reflective and emissive - into a single system that can operate in both ambient and low-light conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system dynamically switches between reflective mode (using ambient light) and emissive mode (using self-generated light) based on environmental lighting conditions. The light emission layer can be activated or deactivated as needed, allowing the display to adapt its illumination strategy to match the operating environment.
2Illumination intensity
If light emission layer is added to reflective display, then visibility in low-light conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light emission layer is implemented as a thin film structure containing LED or OLED elements that can be integrated into the display stack. This thin-film approach minimizes the additional thickness and structural complexity while providing the necessary light emission functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The light emission layer serves multiple functions: it provides illumination for low-light conditions, acts as a backlight for the reflective display, and can potentially serve as the primary display element in certain modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
3Illumination intensity
If light emission layer generates light in distributed fashion, then illumination uniformity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light emission layer is divided into multiple discrete light-emitting elements (LEDs or OLEDs) arranged in a distributed pattern. This segmentation allows each element to contribute to the overall illumination, creating uniform light distribution across the display area while enabling modular manufacturing approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters such as the density, size, and spatial arrangement of the light-emitting elements to achieve uniform illumination. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves good illumination uniformity while maintaining compatibility with existing manufacturing processes.
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 solution enables reflective displays to function effectively in low-light conditions by providing supplemental lighting, enhancing their usability in various lighting environments without the need for significant power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The light emission layer can include at least one component selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode and an organic light emitting diode
Implementation Method 2
The first electrode can be positioned to reflect light generated by the light emission layer toward the reflective display panel
Data Source
AI summary
A self emission device (644) that emits light (526). The self emission device can include at least one light emission layer (104) encompassing an area, and generating light over such area in a distributed fashion. The self emission device also can include a first electrode (113) interfacing with a first side (116) of the light emission layer and a second electrode (114) interfacing with a second side (117) of the light emission layer. The first electrode and the second electrode can provide energy used by the light emission layer to illuminate. The self emission device can be a component of a display (100) comprising a reflective display panel (102).