Switchable Transparent Display with Light Modification Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transparent organic light emitting diode (TOLED) displays can show their backside simultaneously, which may decrease visibility or serve as a disturbance due to the visibility of the background, as they are designed to be self-luminating and have a stack structure composed of a TOLED layer and a transparent thin film transistor (TFT) layer.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus switchable between two modes, featuring a transparent light emitting layer and a light modification layer with a polarization layer, where the light modification layer absorbs incident light in one mode to provide a solid black background and reflects it in the other mode to display a background pattern or color, using a liquid crystal layer and a reflective layer to adjust its operation based on the mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the TOLED display uses a transparent structure to achieve self-luminance and wide view angle, then the display can be transparent and energy-efficient, but the backside becomes visible which decreases visibility and creates disturbance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a switchable layer that can dynamically change between transparent and opaque states. This dynamic property allows the display to adapt its transparency based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining self-luminance transparency and preventing background visibility disturbances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter (transparency) of the display structure by introducing a switchable layer that can alter its light transmission properties. This parameter change enables the display to switch between transparent and opaque modes, allowing the system to maintain self-luminance when needed while blocking the background when visibility is compromised.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the display structure is made transparent to allow background visibility, then the display achieves wide view angle and self-luminance, but the background pattern cannot be displayed when the light emitting layer is disabled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light modification layer that provides multiple functions: it can modify incident light to create solid black backgrounds when the TOLED layer is active, and it can reflect incident light to display background patterns when the TOLED layer is disabled. This multi-functional layer resolves the contradiction by enabling both transparent mode adaptability and background pattern display capability within a single structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The light modification layer acts as an intermediary between the transparent TOLED structure and the background. It mediates the interaction by selectively modifying or reflecting incident light based on the operational state, enabling the display of background patterns through the transparent structure when needed while maintaining the self-luminant transparent display function when the TOLED layer is active.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a switchable layer is added to control transparency, then the display can switch between transparent and opaque states, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light modification functionality and the switching capability into a single integrated layer structure. The light modification layer is configured to work in conjunction with the transparent TOLED layer, merging multiple functions (light modification, background pattern display, and transparency control) into a unified structure that reduces overall device complexity compared to separate independent components.
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 the display apparatus to effectively switch between displaying images and showing a background pattern or color, improving visibility by controlling light absorption and reflection depending on the operational mode, thus addressing the visibility issues of conventional TOLED displays.
Implementation Method 1
the light modification layer is configured to absorb the incident light by the liquid crystal layer
Implementation Method 2
the light modification layer is configured to reflect the incident light by the reflective layer so that the incident light is reflected as a reflected light transmitting through the transparent light emitting layer
Implementation Method 3
the first polarization layer is disposed between the transparent light emitting layer and the light modification layer and configured to polarize an incident light which transmits through the transparent light emitting layer
Implementation Method 4
transparent organic light emitting diode (TOLED) display is characterized by self-luminance
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A display apparatus switchable between a first mode and a second mode is provided. The display apparatus includes a transparent light emitting layer, a light modification layer and a first polarization layer. The transparent light emitting layer is configured to display image in the first mode and be disabled in the second mode. The light modification layer is disposed under the transparent light emitting layer. The first polarization layer between the transparent light emitting layer and the light modification layer is configured to polarize an incident light which transmits through the transparent light emitting layer. When the display apparatus is operated in the first mode, the light modification layer is configured to absorb the incident light, and when the display apparatus is operated in the second mode, the light modification layer is configured to reflect the incident light. Another display apparatus and a display method are also provided.