Mirror Display Light-Diffusing Member Specular Reflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mirror displays in a non-display state fail to match the interior or housing environment due to their specular reflective surface, causing an uncomfortable feeling, especially when placed in bright rooms with diffusely reflecting surfaces.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a light-diffusing member closer to the viewing surface than the reflective polarizer in the half mirror layer to create a diffusely reflecting surface that matches the peripheral environment, allowing the mirror display to function as both a display and a mirror.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a reflective polarizer is used as a half mirror layer in a mirror display, then the display can serve as a mirror in non-display state, but the specular reflective surface causes uncomfortable feeling and fails to match diffusely reflecting environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemirror display functionVSAvoiduncomfortable feeling from specular reflection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by adding a light-diffusing member only to specific regions of the display surface. The display surface is divided into a first region with the light-diffusing member (for mirror mode) and a second region without it (for display mode), allowing different local areas to have different optical properties suitable for their respective functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The light-diffusing member acts as an intermediary between the reflective polarizer and the external environment. It diffuses the reflected light from the reflective polarizer, transforming the harsh specular reflection into a softer diffuse reflection that matches the surrounding environment and reduces the uncomfortable feeling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a light-diffusing member is added to create a diffusely reflecting surface, then aesthetic integration with peripheral environment is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic integrationVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display surface is segmented into functionally distinct regions: a first region equipped with a light-diffusing member for mirror mode operation, and a second region without the light-diffusing member for display mode operation. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display device achieves multi-functionality by combining display functionality with mirror functionality in a single device. The light-diffusing member enables the display surface to serve dual purposes: displaying images when active and providing aesthetic mirror-like reflection when inactive, eliminating the need for separate mirror and display devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the display serves as a mirror in non-display state, then the device occupies space usefully, but it still fails to match bright-color-based interior or wall in bright rooms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidbrightness matching

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the mirror display by introducing a light-diffusing member that modifies the reflection characteristics. This transforms the reflection from specular (directional) to diffuse (scattered), changing how light interacts with the display surface and enabling better brightness and color matching with bright-color-based interiors or walls in bright room environments.

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 solution enables the mirror display to blend seamlessly into diffusely reflecting environments, reducing the uncomfortable feeling associated with specular reflections and enhancing aesthetic integration while maintaining display functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a light-diffusing member that diffuses at least part of incident light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight diffusion: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

A reflective polarizer reflects a polarized light component parallel to the reflection axis and transmits a polarized light component perpendicular to the reflection axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarized light reflection: Polarisation

Implementation Method 3

a half mirror plate (e.g. a reflective polarizer) has an almost perfect specular reflective surface and mostly provides regular reflection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpecular reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10012866B2Mirror display and electronic device

Publication Date: 2018.07.03 SHARP KK

AI summary

The present invention provides a mirror display that can match the peripheral environment having diffusely reflecting surfaces in the mirror mode, and an electronic device including the mirror display. The mirror display includes a half mirror plate that includes a reflective polarizer and a display device. The half mirror plate further includes a light-diffusing member that diffuses at least part of incident light. The mirror display includes, in the order from the back surface side, the display device, the reflective polarizer, and the light-diffusing member.