Transflective Pixel Matrix for Wearable Display Visibility

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wearable displays with either transparent or reflective pixels fail to provide clear images in both high and low ambient light environments, leading to visibility issues and increased energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A transflective pixel matrix design that includes transparent and reflective pixels, each with dedicated electrodes and switch components, allowing for individual control and operation, enabling clear image display in various lighting conditions while reducing energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a reflective display is used, then clear image visibility is improved under high ambient light or outdoor environments, but clear image display capability deteriorates under low ambient light environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility under high ambient lightVSAvoidadaptability to different ambient light conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into two distinct pixel types: transparent pixels for low ambient light environments and reflective pixels for high ambient light environments. Each pixel type is optimized for its specific lighting condition, with transparent pixels containing transparent electrodes and color resist layers for visibility in dark conditions, and reflective pixels containing reflective electrodes for visibility in bright conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display system achieves multi-functionality by combining both transparent and reflective pixel types in a single display device. This allows the display to adapt to different ambient light conditions automatically, providing clear image visibility whether the user is indoors or outdoors, thereby resolving the limitation of single-type pixel displays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Illumination intensity

If a transparent display is used, then clear image display is improved under low ambient light environments, but visibility deteriorates under high ambient light or outdoor environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility under low ambient lightVSAvoidadaptability to different ambient light conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into two distinct pixel types: transparent pixels for low ambient light environments and reflective pixels for high ambient light environments. Each pixel type is optimized for its specific lighting condition, with transparent pixels containing transparent electrodes and color resist layers for visibility in dark conditions, and reflective pixels containing reflective electrodes for visibility in bright conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display system achieves multi-functionality by combining both transparent and reflective pixel types in a single display device. This allows the display to adapt to different ambient light conditions automatically, providing clear image visibility whether the user is indoors or outdoors, thereby resolving the limitation of single-type pixel displays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Illumination intensity

If backlight brightness is increased to improve visibility, then image clarity is improved, but energy consumption increases and temperature rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay brightnessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reflective pixels utilize ambient light as their light source, eliminating the need for high-power backlights in bright environments. The reflective electrodes reflect ambient light through the pixel structure, allowing the display to maintain visibility without consuming additional energy from a backlight system, thus resolving the contradiction between brightness and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 transflective pixel matrix provides clear visibility and reduced energy consumption by switching between transparent and reflective modes based on ambient light, achieving effective image display indoors and outdoors.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the transparent pixels includes a transparent electrode and a transparent color resist layer disposed on the transparent electrode. Each of the reflective pixels includes a reflective electrode. The switch components are connected to the transparent electrodes of the transparent pixels and the reflective electrodes of the reflective pixels respectively for driving the transparent pixels and the reflective pixels individually.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-optic effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Data Source

PatentUS10101616B2Pixel matrix and display using the same

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 AU OPTRONICS CORP

AI summary

A pixel matrix includes pixel units. The pixel units are arranged in a repeating pattern, in which each of the pixel units includes transparent pixels, reflective pixels, and switch components. Each of the transparent pixels includes a transparent electrode and a transparent color resist layer disposed on the transparent electrode. Each of the reflective pixels includes a reflective electrode. The switch components are connected to the transparent electrodes of the transparent pixels and the reflective electrodes of the reflective pixels respectively for driving the transparent pixels and the reflective pixels individually.