Tintable Vision Window With Transparent Display Contrast Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window technologies do not effectively integrate transparent displays with tintable windows to optimize interior space usage, provide minimal visibility impact, and extend the lifespan of media displays while allowing for augmented reality and lighting enhancements.
Innovation Solution
A display construct integrated with a tintable window, featuring a light-emitting diode (LED) or liquid crystal display (LCD) matrix, which can be used to display media and augment the external view, with a tintable or electrochromic glass for shading and contrast control, and separate or combined controllers for display and window operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a transparent display is integrated with a window, then interior space usage is optimized and visibility impact is minimized, but the display lifespan is reduced due to UV irradiation and heat
Solution Approach 1:
A protective layer is introduced between the transparent display and the external environment (UV radiation, heat). This protective layer acts as an intermediary that filters harmful UV rays and reduces thermal exposure to the display, thereby extending its lifespan while maintaining the display's transparency and functionality integrated with the window.
Solution Approach 2:
The window assembly is constructed as a composite structure combining multiple materials: the transparent display, protective UV-filtering layers, tintable glass, and structural framing. This composite construction allows each layer to perform its specific function - the display provides visual output, the protective layers filter harmful radiation, and the tintable glass controls light transmission - thereby resolving the contradiction between maximizing display utilization and protecting it from environmental damage.
2Illumination intensity
If a tinted backdrop is used to enhance media display, then display contrast is improved, but visibility through the window is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tintable glass provides dynamic control over the window's optical properties. The tint can be adjusted in real-time based on viewing conditions, display content requirements, and external environment. When high contrast is needed for media display, the tint darkens to enhance visibility; when external viewing is prioritized, the tint lightens to maintain transparency, thus resolving the contradiction between display contrast and external visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The tinting effect is applied selectively to specific regions or zones of the window assembly, allowing different areas to have different optical characteristics. This enables localized optimization where the display area receives enhanced contrast through tinting while other portions of the window maintain higher transparency for external viewing, thereby resolving the contradiction spatially.
3Productivity
If the window surface is used for media display, then space usage efficiency is optimized, but the window's primary viewing function is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The window assembly is designed as a multi-functional system that simultaneously serves as both a media display surface and a viewing window. The transparent display integrated with the tintable glass allows the same surface area to perform dual functions: displaying media content when activated and providing external views when not in use or when adjusted to lighter tint levels. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between space usage efficiency and viewing function by making the window adaptable to different usage scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between display mode and viewing mode through control of the tintable glass and display activation. When media display is required, the display is activated and the tint adjusts to optimize contrast; when external viewing is prioritized, the display is deactivated and the tint lightens to maximize transparency. This dynamic adaptability allows the window to resolve the contradiction between its display function and viewing function based on real-time requirements.
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 efficient space usage, minimal visibility impact, extended display lifespan, and enhanced viewing experiences through integrated media display and tintable window functionality, allowing for augmented reality and lighting enhancements.
Implementation Method 1
The viewing window can comprise a tint that cannot be (e.g., controllably and/or electronically) altered. The viewing window can comprise a tint (e.g., shading) that (i) cannot be electronically altered, and/or (ii) can be optically altered (e.g., due to irradiation of the viewing window by external lighting such as sunlight and/or streetlight)
Implementation Method 2
The shading may comprise phosphor coating, application of black pigment, and/or glass coloration
Implementation Method 3
The display may comprise a display matrix. The display matrix may comprise a light emitting diode (LED)
Implementation Method 4
The display may comprise liquid crystal display (LCD)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems, apparatuses, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media related to a display construct coupled to a structure (e.g., a vision window). The structure can be a supportive structure such as a fixture. The display construct is configured to facilitate media display and is at least partially transparent. The vision window may be a tintable window, e.g., a window in which its tint is electrically controllable (e.g., an electrochromic window). Various interactive capabilities with the display construct are disclosed (e.g., via a touch screen).