Transparent Display Light Guide Polarization Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices using transparent liquid crystal panels struggle to show exhibition objects and image information clearly at the same time due to light from the light source illuminating the image information, resulting in reduced brightness and clarity.

Innovation Solution

A display device configuration that includes a transparent liquid crystal panel, polarizers, a light guide element, and a controller to control light transmission and polarization, allowing orthogonal polarization of light from the light source and the display body, enabling clear simultaneous display of objects and images by adjusting light transmittance on a per-pixel basis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single light source is used to illuminate both the exhibition object and the transparent liquid crystal panel, then the structure is simple, but the image information becomes dim and unclear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight source structureVSAvoidimage information brightness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the lighting system into two separate light sources: a first light source for illuminating the exhibition object and a second light source for illuminating the transparent liquid crystal panel. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each lighting path, ensuring that image information receives sufficient illumination without being compromised by the object lighting requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a polarizing beam splitter as an intermediary component that separates the light paths from the two light sources. This intermediary enables the system to manage two independent illumination paths while maintaining a relatively compact structure, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adequate image brightness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If light from the light source directly illuminates the transparent liquid crystal panel, then the structure is simple, but the image information cannot be displayed clearly simultaneously with the exhibition object

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical path structureVSAvoidimage information clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different optical properties to different regions of the system: the first light source path uses one polarization state for object illumination, while the second light source path uses an orthogonal polarization state for image display. This local differentiation of optical properties allows both functions to coexist without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Use of energy by moving object

If the same light source is used for both object illumination and image display, then energy consumption is low, but both cannot be clearly displayed at the same time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidsimultaneous display clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes polarization state as a distinguishing parameter to separate the two light paths. By assigning orthogonal polarization states to the first and second light sources, the system enables simultaneous display of exhibition objects and image information without requiring excessive energy, as each light source operates independently in its designated polarization channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 clear visualization of both the display body and image information on the transparent liquid crystal panel simultaneously, improving brightness and clarity by managing light transmission and polarization effectively.

Implementation Method 1

a first polarizer arranged on at least one of the front surface and the rear surface of the transparent liquid crystal panel; a second polarizer arranged between the light guide element and the transparent liquid crystal panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 2

a light guide element arranged at the other of the front surface and the rear surface of the transparent liquid crystal panel, and configured to direct light from the first light source toward the transparent liquid crystal panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a transparent liquid crystal panel configured to allow an object arranged at the rear surface to be viewed from the front surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid crystal optical modulation: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentUS10459283B2Display device

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 OMRON CORP

AI summary

A display device includes a transparent liquid crystal panel configured to allow an object arranged at the rear surface to be viewed from the front surface; a first polarizer arranged on at least one of the front surface and the rear surface of the transparent liquid crystal panel; a light source; a light guide element arranged at the other of the front surface and the rear surface of the transparent liquid crystal panel; a second polarizer arranged between the light guide element and the transparent liquid crystal panel, or between the light guide element and the light source and arranged to not block at least a portion of light transmitted through the light guide element via the object; and a controller.