Reflective Display Supplementary Light Module for Dim Environments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Reflective liquid crystal displays struggle to provide clear visibility in dim environments due to their dependency on ambient light, making it difficult for users to comfortably view content in low-light conditions.

Innovation Solution

A supplementary light module is integrated between the touch screen and display substrate, comprising light emitting elements and a light guide element that directs supplementary light to the touch screen, enhancing brightness and ensuring clear visibility even in dim environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If reflective liquid crystal displays are used to reduce power consumption and improve outdoor visibility, then power efficiency and sunlight readability are improved, but visibility in dim environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen brightnessVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display system dynamically switches between reflective mode (for outdoor/sunny environments) and transmissive mode with supplementary lighting (for dim/indoor environments). The lighting module can be activated or deactivated based on ambient light conditions, allowing the display to adapt its illumination characteristics to different viewing environments, thereby resolving the contradiction between power efficiency and environmental adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The display panel is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as a reflective display for outdoor use and as a transmissive display with supplementary lighting for indoor use. This multi-functionality allows the same display to serve diverse viewing conditions effectively, improving both power efficiency and environmental adaptability simultaneously.

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

2Illumination intensity

If supplementary light module is added to improve visibility in dim environments, then visibility and user comfort are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch screen brightnessVSAvoiddisplay structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supplementary lighting module is integrated directly with the display substrate, with light emitting elements arranged on the back surface and optical structures combined with the existing display layers. This merging approach allows the lighting function to be added without requiring separate, complex external lighting systems, thereby improving visibility while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical structures in the supplementary lighting module utilize thin film and flexible optical elements that can be integrated within the existing display thickness. This approach adds minimal structural complexity while achieving the desired lighting effect, as the optical components can be deposited or attached as thin layers rather than requiring bulky mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 significantly improves the usability of reflective liquid crystal displays by maintaining clear visibility in various lighting conditions, enhancing the universality of these displays by providing additional brightness when needed.

Implementation Method 1

The supplementary light is emitted to a light guide element of the supplementary light module. The light guide element guides the supplementary light to the touch screen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight guidance: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentEP4040225B1Display panel and terminal device
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 JRD COMM (SHENZHEN) LTD
  • EP4040225B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4040225B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4040225B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A display panel (10) and a terminal device including the same are provided. The display panel (10) includes a touch screen (101) configured to present display content, a supplementary light module (102) that includes a light emitting element (1022) configured to provide supplementary light and a light guide element (1021) configured to guide the supplementary light to the touch screen (101), and a display substrate (103) configured to form the display content. The display panel can increase brightness of the touch screen (101), so that users can see the display content on the display panel (10) clearly even in a dim environment, which improves universality of reflective liquid crystal displays.