Transparent Display Light Guide Scattering Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive electronic displays, which do not emit light, are limited in practical applications due to their inability to emit light, often requiring an external light source for functionality, which can restrict their use in various display applications.
Innovation Solution
A transparent display system that employs a light guide and scattering elements as a backlight to illuminate an array of light valves, enabling the display of images that can be viewed through a background scene, providing either two-dimensional or multiview images, and allowing for augmented reality applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If passive displays are coupled to an external light source (backlight), then the display can emit light and function as an active display, but the device complexity and structural requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the backlight function and display function into a single integrated structure. The light guide plate serves dual purposes: it guides light from LEDs and provides the backlighting for the display panel, eliminating the need for separate backlight components and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide plate performs multiple functions simultaneously: light guiding, light distribution, and structural support. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining light emission capability.
2Illumination intensity
If a traditional backlight is used to illuminate the display, then the display can show images, but the transparency and viewing of background scenes are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The scattering elements are strategically positioned at specific locations within the light guide plate rather than being uniformly distributed. This localized scattering approach provides sufficient illumination for display visibility while maintaining transparency in other areas, allowing background scenes to remain visible.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a traditional full-coverage backlight that completely blocks the background, the patent uses partial scattering elements that provide just enough light for display visibility while allowing most of the background to remain visible. This partial action approach balances display visibility with background transparency.
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 simultaneous viewing of a background scene and superimposed images, offering enhanced display capabilities and flexibility in applications such as augmented reality without the need for external light sources.
Implementation Method 1
employing a light guide and scattering elements as a backlight to illuminate an array of light valves
Implementation Method 2
employing a light guide and scattering elements as a backlight to illuminate an array of light valves
Data Source
AI summary
A backlit transparent display and a transparent display system provide a displayed image while enabling a background scene to be visible through the display. The backlit transparent display includes a light guide, a plurality of scattering elements, and an array of light valves configured to modulate emitted light scattered from the light guide to provide modulated emitted light representing a displayed image. Transparency of the backlit transparent display is configured to enable the background scene to be visible through the backlit transparent display. The transparent display system includes the array of light valves and a transparent backlight. The transparent display system is configured to provide the displayed image as superimposed on the background scene visible through the transparent display system.