Stacked Waveguide Display Segmentation via Light Inhibiting Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional segmented illumination displays are limited to a 2× array or 2×M array due to thickness constraints, which restricts the number of illumination segments and increases cost and heat output when trying to enhance segmentation with more LEDs.
Innovation Solution
A display stack with stacked waveguides and edge lit LED light bars that allow for an M×N array of illumination segments by interposing light inhibiting layers between waveguides to direct light from LEDs to individual segments, enabling independent control and thinner panel designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional segmented illumination displays use a 2× array or 2×M array configuration, then the display thickness can be maintained, but the number of illumination segments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar 2D array arrangement to a three-dimensional stacked configuration of waveguides. Multiple waveguides are arranged in vertical layers, allowing illumination segments to be distributed across multiple dimensions. This enables M×N arrays with M and N both greater than 2 by utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness direction) for waveguide stacking, thereby increasing the number of addressable segments without being constrained to a single-plane 2× array configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The display is divided into multiple independent waveguide layers, each capable of carrying light to specific illumination segments. The waveguides are segmented into separate functional units that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows each waveguide layer to serve specific rows or columns of segments, enabling fine-grained control over illumination patterns and supporting higher resolution M×N arrays with greater than 2 segments in each dimension.
2Quantity of substance
If more LEDs are added to enhance segmentation, then the number of illumination segments increases, but cost and heat output increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple waveguide layers are optically coupled and work together as an integrated system to illuminate the display. The waveguides share common entrance pupils and coordinate their light output to collectively address M×N segments. This merging approach allows the system to achieve high segmentation capability through coordinated operation of multiple waveguides rather than requiring proportionally more LEDs, thereby reducing heat generation and cost compared to direct one-to-one LED-to-segment mapping.
Solution Approach 2:
Each waveguide in the stacked configuration serves multiple functions: it acts as a light transport channel, a segmentation control unit, and a spatial multiplexing element. The same waveguide structure can be used to illuminate different segments at different times or in different patterns, providing multi-functionality that reduces the total number of light sources needed compared to conventional approaches where each segment requires dedicated LED control.
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
Enables a higher number of individually illuminable segments in a thinner display panel, reducing cost and heat while maintaining efficient light distribution, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional segmented illumination displays.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide stack to transmit light from the plurality of LED edge lights to the LCD layer
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of light inhibiting layers interposed between each of the plurality of waveguides in the stack
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a waveguide stack and associated segmented illumination display. The waveguide stack includes a number of waveguides stacked into an array to direct light from light emitting diode (LED) edge lights to a liquid crystal display (LCD) of a segmented illumination display. The waveguides are stacked with light inhibiting material between the waveguides to inhibit light transmitting through one waveguide from communicating to a second waveguide.