Transparent Expander Panel Display for Reduced Eye Strain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display devices, particularly small touch screens like mobile phones, cause eye strain due to the need for constant focusing, which may increase the risk of myopia from prolonged close-distance viewing.

Innovation Solution

A display device that can switch between virtual and surface display modes, using an optical engine and an expander panel to form collimated virtual images at a distance and a display panel for surface images, respectively, with a transparent expander panel to minimize eye strain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If images are displayed on a small touch screen at close distance, then the device size and portability are improved, but eye strain and ciliary muscle stress increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoideye strain
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a virtual display mode that projects images to a distant virtual location (e.g., 2 meters away) while maintaining the compact physical device size. This adds a spatial dimension to the display experience, allowing users to view images at a comfortable viewing distance without increasing the device's physical dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs an optical engine with expander panels as an intermediary system between the display screen and the user's eye. This optical intermediary creates a virtual image at a distant location, mediating the interaction between the compact display and the user's visual system, thereby reducing eye strain while maintaining device portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If virtual display mode is used to reduce eye strain, then viewing comfort is improved, but interaction precision and touch input accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing comfortVSAvoidtouch input accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic display system that can switch between virtual display mode and surface display mode based on user needs. The system dynamically adjusts the display configuration, allowing users to transition from the comfortable virtual mode to the precise surface mode for interactions requiring accuracy, such as typing or selecting small elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional display system that combines both virtual display capabilities and surface display capabilities in a single device. This universal display system can adapt to different usage scenarios, providing viewing comfort when needed and interaction precision when needed, making the device suitable for a broader range of tasks.

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

3Ease of operation

If expander panel is made transparent to minimize eye strain, then viewing comfort is improved, but optical attenuation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing comfortVSAvoidoptical attenuation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the optical parameters of the expander panel, specifically controlling the attenuation coefficient and thickness of the transparent panel. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves a balance where the panel remains sufficiently transparent to maintain viewing comfort while minimizing light loss and maintaining adequate image brightness.

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

Reduces eye strain by allowing comfortable viewing at various distances, maintaining relaxed ciliary muscle contraction, and providing a hybrid display mode for enhanced user interaction.

Implementation Method 1

The expander panel comprises a group of diffractive elements, which contribute to the direction of the output light beams

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP4711841A1Eye-friendly display device
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 SHENZHEN OPTIAVE DISPLAY TECH CO LTD
  • EP4711841A1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP4711841A1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP4711841A1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

The present application discloses a display device and a method for displaying an image, which relates to the field of optical technology. A display device comprises: - an optical engine to form a plurality of input light beams corresponding to image points of a virtual image, - an expander panel to form output light beams by diffractively expanding the input light beams (B0) received from the optical engine, - a display panel to form a second image on a display surface of the display panel, - a user interface to receive user input, - a control unit to control forming of the first input light beams (B0) and to control forming of the second image based on user input received via the user interface, wherein the expander panel is positioned between the display panel and the viewing region, wherein the expander panel is transparent so as to allow viewing the second image through the expander panel. The display device and the method of displaying images provided in this application are capable of reducing the pressure on the eyes when using the display device.