Segmented LCD Operating Panel With Printed Icons for Low-Energy Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating devices for electric appliances, such as coffee machines, face challenges in providing a simple and energy-efficient way to display detailed and colored information to users while avoiding the high costs and energy consumption of active displays like TFT or LED screens.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves an operating device with a display panel featuring a standard LCD display and a transparent picture carrier with backlighting, where active areas can be activated or deactivated to reveal high-resolution, colored icons and symbols, using a conventional backlight device with LED light sources and diffusing means, and capacitive sensor elements for touch switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If active displays like TFT or LED screens are used to display detailed and colored information, then the display quality and information detail are improved, but the energy consumption and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into multiple independently controllable active areas on the LCD display, each corresponding to a specific picture, icon, or symbol region. This allows selective activation of only the areas needed to display current information, rather than illuminating the entire display. The backlight device is also divided into multiple independently controllable regions that can be activated selectively to illuminate only the currently displayed elements, significantly reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining detailed information display capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by providing different properties to different regions of the display. The LCD display has separate active areas with different transparency states, and the backlight device has regions with different illumination states. This allows the display to show detailed and colored information precisely where needed while keeping other areas dark and non-transparent, optimizing both information display quality and energy efficiency by avoiding unnecessary illumination of inactive regions.
2Loss of information
If active displays like TFT or LED screens are used to display detailed and colored information, then the display quality and information detail are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a transparent picture carrier with pictures, icons, or symbols applied to one surface that is placed behind the LCD display. This picture carrier acts as a template or copy that defines the visual elements to be displayed. The LCD display and backlight device work together to selectively reveal or illuminate these pre-formed images, allowing detailed and colored information display without requiring expensive active display technology. The pictures can be applied using conventional printing or application methods, significantly reducing manufacturing costs.
3Loss of information
If the entire LCD display is illuminated to show all pictures and icons, then all information is visible, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into multiple independently controllable active areas on the LCD display, each corresponding to a specific picture, icon, or symbol region. This allows selective activation of only the areas needed to display current information, rather than illuminating the entire display. The backlight device is also divided into multiple independently controllable regions that can be activated selectively to illuminate only the currently displayed elements, significantly reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining detailed information display capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements partial action by illuminating and activating only the specific portions of the display that are currently needed, rather than the entire display. The LCD display has separate active areas that can be selectively activated, and the backlight device has regions that can be independently controlled. This allows the system to display complete information when needed while consuming minimal energy during normal operation by activating only the necessary segments.
4Loss of information
If transparent flat material with pictures is placed behind the LCD display, then detailed and colored icons can be displayed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a transparent picture carrier with pictures, icons, or symbols applied to one surface that is placed behind the LCD display. This picture carrier acts as a template or copy that defines the visual elements to be displayed. The LCD display and backlight device work together to selectively reveal or illuminate these pre-formed images, allowing detailed and colored information display without requiring expensive active display technology. The pictures can be applied using conventional printing or application methods, significantly reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The picture carrier is made from transparent flat material in the form of a thin foil or sheet that can be easily manufactured, handled, and integrated into the display structure. This thin-film approach allows detailed and colored icons to be displayed without adding significant structural complexity or weight to the device.
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 allows for energy-efficient and cost-effective display of detailed information without the need for expensive active displays, reducing energy consumption by only illuminating active areas and using standard hardware and software solutions, while maintaining a clear and bright visual experience.
Implementation Method 1
Behind the transparent picture carrier a backlight device is provided for shining or lighting through the picture carrier and through the LCD display
Implementation Method 2
The LCD display has several separate active areas, which means that they can be activated or deactivated in the manner of a conventional LCD
Implementation Method 3
capacitive sensor elements for touch switches
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An operating device for an electric appliance has a display panel for a user to read off information and to operate the electric appliance with operating elements, wherein the display panel has an LCD display covering substantially the area of the display panel. The LCD display has several separate active areas, wherein behind the LCD display a transparent flat material or foil is provided as a picture carrier having several separate pictures on one of its surfaces. Behind the transparent picture carrier a backlight device is provided for lighting through the picture carrier and the LCD display.