Mirror Display with In-Cell Touch Sensing and Dynamic Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mirror displays cannot dynamically switch between mirror and display modes, and they lack effective in-cell touch sensing capabilities due to physical separation of mirror and display regions, which limits touch sensing sensitivity and requires a separate touch panel.

Innovation Solution

A mirror display panel with divided electrodes and liquid crystal layers allows independent control of mirror and display modes on a block-by-block basis, using polarizing films to minimize optical interference and integrate in-cell touch sensing, enabling simultaneous mirror and display operations with enhanced touch sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate touch panel is bonded to the mirror display, then touch input sensing is enabled, but device complexity and thickness increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch input sensingVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the touch sensor function with the mirror display structure by integrating a touch sensor layer within the mirror display panel itself. The touch sensor electrodes are formed on the same substrate as the mirror display electrodes, merging two separate functions (touch sensing and mirror display) into a single integrated structure, thereby enabling touch input without adding a separate touch panel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mirror display panel is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as both a mirror display device and a touch sensor device. The same panel structure and substrate are used for both mirror display operation and touch input detection, making the device universal and eliminating the need for separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If in-cell touch sensor is integrated into the mirror display, then device thickness is reduced, but touch sensing sensitivity decreases due to time-divisional driving limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay thicknessVSAvoidtouch sensing sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of electrode blocks, allowing different blocks to be independently switched between mirror mode and display mode. This dynamic switching capability enables the system to optimize performance by activating touch sensing only in display blocks while maintaining mirror function in other blocks, thereby improving touch sensing sensitivity without increasing overall thickness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mirror display panel is divided into multiple independently controllable blocks. Each block can be independently controlled to operate in either mirror mode or display mode, allowing selective activation of touch sensing functions in specific regions. This segmentation enables simultaneous mirror and display operations in different blocks, improving overall system performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If mirror region and display region are physically separated, then manufacturing is simplified, but the mirror display cannot dynamically switch between modes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidmode switching capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic control system that can switch different blocks between mirror mode and display mode based on user input or system requirements. The control unit receives control signals and dynamically adjusts the state of each block, enabling the mirror display to adapt to different usage scenarios and provide versatile functionality within a unified structure

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 solution allows for dynamic variation of mirror and display regions, reduces optical interference, and enables sensitive touch input sensing without a separate touch panel, improving user interaction and display functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid crystal phase modulation: Liquid Crystals

Implementation Method 2

apply a mirror driving signal for selecting a mirror mode and a display mode to the second electrodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectro-optic effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Implementation Method 3

a reflective polarizing film adhered to the second substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 4

Incident external light may be reflected by the reflective polarizing film at a location corresponding to the first block

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 5

apply a sensor driving signal to the first electrodes through the sensor lines to sense a change of capacitance on the first electrodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance sensing: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3252524B1Mirror display
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 LG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3252524B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3252524B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3252524B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mirror display is discussed. The mirror display according to an embodiment includes a plurality of first electrodes (E1) disposed on a first substrate (SUBS4), a plurality of sensor lines (SL) disposed on the first substrate (SUBS4) and connected to the plurality of first electrodes (E1), a plurality of second electrodes (E2) disposed on a second substrate (SUBS3) and facing the first electrodes (E1) disposed on the first substrate (SUBS4) with a liquid crystal layer (LC2) interposed therebetween, a plurality of mirror driving lines (ML) disposed on the second substrate (SUBS3) and connected to the plurality of second electrodes (E2), a polarizing film (POL4) adhered to the first substrate (SUBS4), and a reflective polarizing film (POL3) adhered to the second substrate (SUBS3).