Stacked Surface Light Source Arrays for Local Dimming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Direct type backlight units face challenges in achieving local dimming due to the diffused light from the light guide panel, leading to difficulties in controlling brightness and maintaining contrast, especially with limited light sources and potential blooming and contrast issues on side surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A backlight unit design that stacks surface light sources, such as OLED arrays, to enhance local dimming capabilities by allowing individual control of surface light source blocks, improving resolution and contrast through precise light management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a direct type backlight unit uses a plurality of light sources arranged in a matrix formation, then local dimming capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocal dimming capabilityVSAvoidnumber of light sources
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backlight unit is divided into multiple independently controllable light source regions arranged in a matrix formation, allowing selective activation of specific regions for local dimming while managing complexity through modular segmentation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the backlight unit are controlled with different brightness levels by selectively activating specific light sources, enabling local dimming where only certain areas are dimmed while others remain bright, thus improving adaptability without requiring all light sources to operate simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If light sources are arranged in a matrix formation in a direct type backlight unit, then local dimming is enabled, but blooming phenomenon occurs and contrast on side surface decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocal dimmingVSAvoidblooming phenomenon and contrast loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A light guide panel is introduced as an intermediary component between the matrix-formed light sources and the display panel. This light guide panel redirects and distributes light to reduce direct interference between adjacent light sources, thereby minimizing blooming phenomenon and improving side surface contrast while preserving local dimming capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a conventional edge-type light source arrangement to a direct-type matrix arrangement with light sources positioned at multiple heights, utilizing the vertical dimension to create layered light emission that reduces lateral light interference and improves contrast

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Length of stationary object

If edge type backlight unit is used to reduce thickness, then device thickness is reduced, but local brightness control becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethicknessVSAvoidlocal brightness control
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The single edge light source is segmented into multiple light sources arranged in a matrix formation within the direct type backlight unit, enabling independent control of each light source region while maintaining a thin profile through optimized light source positioning and light guide design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from edge-type to direct-type configuration with light sources positioned at multiple heights, utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve both thinness and local brightness control capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 stacking of surface light sources enables enhanced resolution and contrast in local dimming by allowing for precise control of light emission, overcoming the limitations of traditional direct type backlight units and improving image quality.

Implementation Method 1

an organic light emitting diode which includes an anode, a cathode, and an organic compound layer interposed between the anode and the cathode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3259639B1Backlight unit
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3259639B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3259639B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7
  • EP3259639B1 patent drawingFigure 8~11a

AI summary

A backlight unit is provided. The backlight unit includes: a first surface light source array; a second surface light source array disposed on an upper portion of the first surface light source array and arranged such that a light emitting surface of the second surface light source array is parallel with a light emitting surface of the first surface light source array; and a reflection plate disposed on a lower portion of the first surface light source array and arranged such that a reflective surface of the reflection plate is parallel with the light emitting surface of the first surface light source array, wherein the second surface light source array is stacked on the first surface light source array such that the first and second surface light source arrays are offset from each other in a plane parallel to the light emitting surfaces.