Transparent Backlight Assembly Light Refraction Features

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile devices with multiple displays face limitations in functionality when the primary display is closed, and users desire both compactness and larger interface surfaces, which is challenging to achieve with existing rotating hinges and hardware components.

Innovation Solution

A transparent display backlight assembly that includes a light source and a backlight panel with light refraction features, such as light-scattering particles or diffractive optics, to illuminate a display panel, allowing for transparent and non-transparent modes, and enabling a multi-mode panel to switch between display modes for optimal visibility and power efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a smaller, secondary display is implemented on the back of the device, then the device can display information when closed, but the device functions are limited or disabled when the primary display is closed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoiduser interface surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display panel is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a primary display when open and a secondary display when closed, eliminating the need for separate display components and maintaining full device functionality in both states

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If rotating hinges and hardware components are added to position the display screen for use while open or closed, then the device can be used in multiple orientations, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay positioningVSAvoidhardware components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical rotating hinges with a flexible display panel that can be bent or folded, eliminating the need for mechanical positioning components while maintaining the ability to display information in multiple orientations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If light refraction features are added to the backlight panel to improve transparency, then the backlight panel transparency increases, but the light scattering and illumination efficiency may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacklight panel transparencyVSAvoiddisplay panel illumination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The backlight panel incorporates light refraction features at specific locations and densities to create local variations in light transmission, allowing certain areas to be more transparent while others provide stronger illumination, optimizing both transparency and illumination efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 portable device to maintain functionality and visibility in both open and closed positions while minimizing size, with enhanced light efficiency and transparency, allowing users to interact with the device seamlessly across various orientations.

Implementation Method 1

Light refraction features refract and scatter the light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

Light refraction features refract and scatter the light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

light-scattering particles embedded in the backlight panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 4

diffractive optics that refract designated light wavelengths

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight diffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 5

negative prisms formed into the backlight panel, where the negative prisms can be implemented as nano-prisms that increase the transparency of the backlight panel, or as micro-prisms that increase display panel illumination

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP2655958B1Transparent display backlight assembly
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP2655958B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2655958B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2655958B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In embodiments of a transparent display backlight assembly, a backlight panel is operable as a transparent panel, and a light source generates light that the backlight panel directs from the light source to illuminate a display panel of a display device. Light refraction features refract and scatter the light, where the light refraction features are spaced for approximate transparency of the backlight panel and to illuminate the display panel. An active diffuser can be implemented as an additional transparent panel and operable for activation to diffuse the light from the backlight panel that illuminates the display panel.