Translucent Plastic Filter for Concealing Electroluminescent Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electroluminescent displays in mobile and wearable electronic devices often have unsightly data display surfaces that compromise the aesthetic design integrity of the background, as existing solutions fail to effectively conceal the display when not in use.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a low haze translucent plastic light filter between the viewing window and the electroluminescent display, which is doped with pigments to match the refractive index of the clear plastic, allowing ambient light to be attenuated while maintaining sufficient brightness for the displayed message to be readable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a window is provided on the data display surface to expose the electroluminescent display surface for viewing, then the display information can be viewed, but the window or data display surface appears unsightly and adversely affects the design integrity of the background
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using a translucent filter that can change its optical properties. When the electroluminescent display is not active, the translucent filter appears opaque or translucent, concealing the display surface and maintaining aesthetic design integrity. When the display needs to be viewed, the filter becomes transparent, allowing the display information to be visible. This color/optical property change resolves the contradiction between visibility and aesthetics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the refractive index matching between the translucent filter and the electroluminescent display surface. The translucent filter is designed with a refractive index that matches the display surface, reducing optical contrast and making the display less visible when not in use, thus maintaining aesthetic integrity while still allowing information display when needed.
2Shape
If a translucent filter is used to conceal the display surface, then aesthetic design integrity is maintained, but the displayed message may not be sufficiently bright or readable under various lighting conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by optimizing the refractive index of the translucent filter to match the electroluminescent display surface. This refractive index matching minimizes light scattering and maximizes light transmission when the display is active, ensuring sufficient brightness and readability while maintaining aesthetic concealment when the display is inactive.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining the translucent filter with the electroluminescent display surface in a refractive index-matched configuration. This composite structure allows the filter to provide both aesthetic concealment and optical transparency when needed, resolving the contradiction between maintaining design integrity and ensuring display readability.
3Shape
If the translucent filter has high opacity to conceal the display, then aesthetic design is maintained, but the displayed message becomes blurred or invisible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the refractive index of the translucent filter to match the electroluminescent display surface. This precise parameter matching creates an optical illusion that conceals the display when inactive while maintaining perfect optical clarity when active, thus resolving the contradiction between aesthetic concealment and display sharpness.
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
This solution effectively conceals the display surface when not in use, maintaining the design integrity of the device while ensuring the message is visible and readable under various lighting conditions without causing glare or blurring.
Implementation Method 1
a low haze clear plastic slab which is doped or deposited with pigments to produce translucence
Implementation Method 2
The clear plastic slab has a first refractive index and the pigments have a second refractive index which is same as, comparable or matched with the first refractive index
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus comprising an electro-luminescent display device, an information display window defined on an outward facing surface of the display device to form a data display portion having a characteristic pixel density, a digital assembly to output data to the display device for display on the information display window, a viewing window through which information displayed on the information display window is viewable from outside of the apparatus, and a translucent plastic light filter disposed between the viewing window and the information display window; wherein the translucent plastic filter has a transmittance which is adapted to visually conceal the information display window or make the underlying information display window not visible when under sunlit ambient illuminations.