OLED Seat Reservation Display with Wide Reading Angle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seat reservation displays using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) face limitations such as narrow reading angles, rigidity, sensitivity to mechanical shock, high power consumption, and reduced readability in bright daylight, making them costly and impractical for widespread use, especially in elongated transport vehicles like trains and airplanes.

Innovation Solution

The use of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with a flexible design and a wide reading angle, integrated into seat upholstery, controlled via an RS-485 interface, and powered by infrared, radio, or acoustic signals, eliminating the need for complex wiring and allowing for integration into seat frames, along with a motion detector for energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are used for seat reservation displays, then the display can be controlled electronically, but the reading angle is limited to 90 degrees requiring multiple displays for all-round visibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereading angleVSAvoidnumber of displays required
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the light-emitting element from conventional LED to OLED (organic light-emitting diode). This material parameter change enables a reading angle of more than 170 degrees, eliminating the need for multiple displays and reducing device complexity while maintaining electronic controllability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional rigid displays are used for seat reservations, then the display structure is stable, but the display is sensitive to mechanical shock and cannot be integrated into seat upholstery

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidresistance to mechanical shock
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible OLED technology that can be integrated into the upholstery of seats. The flexible display element is embedded within the seat structure, protecting it from mechanical shock while maintaining visibility. This flexible integration approach resolves the contradiction between structural stability and mechanical shock resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If multiple displays are used to achieve all-round visibility with limited reading angle LEDs, then complete visibility is achieved, but the cost and power consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility from all directionsVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By changing from conventional LED to OLED technology, the patent achieves a reading angle of more than 170 degrees with a single display. This parameter change eliminates the need for multiple displays, thereby reducing both the cost and the power consumption while maintaining complete visibility from all directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Extent of automation

If light-emitting diodes are used for seat reservation displays, then the display can be electronically controlled, but the readability is greatly reduced in bright daylight conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic control capabilityVSAvoidreadability in bright light
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the light-emitting technology from conventional LED to OLED, which provides superior visibility in bright daylight conditions. The OLED's emission characteristics maintain readability even when outshone by incident daylight, while preserving electronic controllability through the EIA-485 interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

5Device complexity

If conventional displays with limited reading angle are used, then the display structure is simple, but the number of conductor cross-sections required increases for complex wiring networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay structure simplicityVSAvoidconductor cross-section requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By implementing a single OLED display with more than 170 degrees reading angle, the patent simplifies the wiring network. Only one display unit requires power and control connections, eliminating the complex multi-display wiring infrastructure and reducing conductor cross-section requirements while maintaining all-round visibility.

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

This solution provides a long-lasting, cost-effective reservation display with a nearly 180-degree reading angle, reducing the number of displays needed, enhancing visibility, and increasing durability and readability in various lighting conditions, while minimizing installation and maintenance efforts.

Implementation Method 1

each lighting element is constructed as an 'organic, light-emitting diode', also referred to as 'OLED'

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOrganic light-emitting diode: Organic Light-emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

The use of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with a flexible design and a wide reading angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP1916171B1Seat or berth with reservation display
Publication Date: 2012.07.25 ANNAX ANZEIGESYST

AI summary

The seat or berth has a seat or berth surface with selection units, and a reservation display with a light matrix from electrically controllable organic light emitting diodes (OLED) as display area. The light matrix is controllable via an electronic interface according to a standard EIA 485, formerly RS 485. Connections of each OLED are electrically conductively connected with each other in respective rows and columns of the light matrix. Each OLED is activated by applying a voltage to the connections of the respective columns and rows of the light matrix.