Photochromic Pattern for Transparent Display Light Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In transparent display panels, high external illumination can increase the brightness of non-display areas, reducing contrast and potentially damaging human eyes due to direct exposure to high-brightness light.

Innovation Solution

A display substrate with photochromic patterns in non-display areas that adjust light transmittance based on illumination intensity, using materials like silver halide, zinc halide, or organic compounds to change color and reduce light transmission in bright conditions, thereby filtering ambient light and maintaining image contrast.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the non-display areas are kept transparent for light transmission, then the display panel achieves transparent display function, but high external illumination increases the brightness of non-display areas reducing image contrast

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransparent display functionVSAvoidimage contrast
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a photochromic pattern in the non-display areas that dynamically changes its light transmission properties in response to external illumination intensity. When ambient light is strong, the photochromic material undergoes a chemical change to reduce light transmission, thereby maintaining image contrast. When ambient light is weak, it returns to a high-transmission state to preserve the transparent display function. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining transparency and preserving contrast under varying illumination conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Illumination intensity

If the non-display areas transmit high-brightness light, then light transmission function is maintained, but human eyes may be damaged due to direct exposure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight transmissionVSAvoideye damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of high-intensity ambient light into a useful signal. The photochromic pattern detects the high illumination intensity and responds by reducing light transmission, thereby protecting the viewer's eyes while still allowing the display to function. The harmful high-brightness light that would otherwise cause eye damage is transformed into the triggering mechanism that activates the protective light-filtering function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If photochromic material is added to non-display areas, then light transmittance adjustment function is achieved, but device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight transmittance adjustmentVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the photochromic light-adjusting function directly into the non-display area structure of the display panel. Rather than adding a separate complex control system with sensors, processors, and active components, the photochromic material provides passive, automatic light transmission adjustment through its inherent photochemical properties. This integration achieves adaptability while minimizing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 photochromic pattern effectively reduces ambient light brightness, preventing eye damage and maintaining image contrast by adjusting light transmittance according to illumination levels, allowing the display to function as transparent, semi-transparent, or non-transparent depending on environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a photochromic pattern is disposed in the non-display areas and configured to adjust a light transmittance of the non-display areas according to an illumination intensity of received light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotochromism: Photochromism

Data Source

PatentUS11264436B2Display substrate, manufacturing method therefor, display panel and display device
Publication Date: 2022.03.01 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • US11264436B2 patent drawing
  • US11264436B2 patent drawing
  • US11264436B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A display substrate, a manufacturing method thereof, a display panel and a display device are provided. The display substrate includes: a base substrate, a plurality of display areas arranged in an array on the base substrate, and non-display areas between the display areas. A display structure is disposed in the display area and configured to display images. The non-display area is light-transparent and is provided with a photochromic pattern. The photochromic pattern is configured to adjust the light transmittance of the non-display area according to the illumination intensity of the received light.