OLED Screen Optical Source Assemblies Using TFT Diffractive Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional OLED screens for mobile applications face limitations in usable area due to integrated light transmitters and receivers, which reduce imaging capabilities and require dedicated diffractive optical elements, increasing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating optical source assemblies within OLED screens that utilize thin-film transistor (TFT) and OLED layers as diffractive optics to multiply and shape beams, eliminating the need for dedicated diffractive optical elements, and configuring screen components to enhance diffractive characteristics, allowing for targeted beam emission and improved optical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated diffractive optical elements are integrated into OLED screens, then beam diffraction and shaping capabilities are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the diffractive optical element functionality with the existing TFT and OLED layers by introducing patterned structures directly into these layers. This integration eliminates the need for separate dedicated diffractive components while maintaining beam diffraction and shaping capabilities, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The TFT and OLED layers are designed to serve multiple functions: they continue to perform their primary roles in screen operation while simultaneously acting as diffractive optical elements. The patterned structures in these layers enable beam diffraction, shaping, and multiplication, allowing the same components to fulfill both display and optical manipulation functions.
2Reliability
If dedicated diffractive optical elements are integrated into OLED screens, then beam diffraction and shaping capabilities are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the diffractive optical element functionality with the existing TFT and OLED layers by introducing patterned structures directly into these layers. This integration eliminates the need for separate dedicated diffractive components while maintaining beam diffraction and shaping capabilities, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost.
3Area of stationary object
If light transmitters and receivers are integrated into OLED screens, then imaging capabilities are reduced, but screen area utilization is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the conflict between screen area utilization and imaging capabilities by operating in the optical dimension rather than requiring dedicated physical space for transmitters and receivers. By using the TFT and OLED layers as diffractive optical elements, the system can perform depth imaging and time-of-flight measurements through the existing display structure, eliminating the need for separate imaging components and maximizing usable screen area.
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 approach enhances pixel density, resolution, and depth range while reducing depth errors, achieving better signal-to-noise ratio and optical performance without the need for additional diffractive components, thus improving screen efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the remaining components of the screen being configured to support and enhance the diffractive characteristics of the beams emitted by these elements
Implementation Method 2
an OLED layer in the screen may be used as a diffractive optic to further multiply and/or shape emitter count and properties
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for optical source assemblies for use with organic light-emitting diode (OLED) based screens for mobile applications. A screen having one or more layers may be used in conjunction with a plurality of optical source assemblies embedded within or behind the screen, with the plurality of optical source assemblies configured to emit beams at certain locations within the screen, and where at least one of the one or more layers is configured to adjust or affect diffractive characteristics of beams emitted by the plurality of optical source assemblies. The screen may be an OLED based screen. The layers may include a thin-film-transistor (TFT) layer and an OLED layer. The TFT layer and/or the OLED layer may be configured to multiply emitter count on a projected area, and/or to shape emitter count and/or properties.