Transparent Display Panel with Virtual Image Expansion for Eye Strain Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display devices, such as small touch screens on mobile phones, cause eye strain due to the need for constant focusing, which may contribute to myopia and other eye-related issues from prolonged close-distance viewing.

Innovation Solution

A display device with both virtual and surface image display modes, utilizing a diffractive expander panel and a transparent display panel, allows for relaxed ciliary muscle use by presenting virtual images at a distance and surface images at close range, with optional shutter panels for improved visibility and reduced eye strain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If images are displayed on a small touch screen at close distance, then the display device can be held in hand and used portably, but the ciliary muscle must constantly contract causing eye strain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveportable handheld useVSAvoideye strain from ciliary muscle stress
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by projecting images onto a virtual surface that appears to be located at a distance from the user's eyes, rather than on a physical screen at close range. This is achieved through optical projection techniques that create a volumetric or holographic display effect, allowing users to view images at comfortable viewing distances while maintaining portable device form factor.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs an optical projection system as an intermediary between the display device and the user's eyes. This intermediary projects images onto a virtual surface or floating display plane, mediating the interaction between the close-held device and the user's visual system, thereby eliminating the need for ciliary muscle contraction that would occur with direct close-range screen viewing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the display device shows images at a distance to reduce eye strain, then the ciliary muscle remains relaxed, but the device cannot provide tactile feedback for user input

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereduced eye strainVSAvoidtactile feedback for user input
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two previously separate functions into a unified system: the virtual image display function and the tactile feedback function. By integrating haptic feedback mechanisms (such as vibration motors or tactile actuators) with the portable display device, users can simultaneously view images at a comfortable distance and receive tactile feedback for input operations, combining the benefits of reduced eye strain with maintained ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the display device multi-functional by incorporating both optical projection capabilities for distance viewing and haptic feedback mechanisms for tactile interaction. This universal design allows the single device to serve multiple purposes: displaying images at a distance to protect eye health while also providing tactile feedback channels for user input, thereby supporting both relaxed viewing and ease of operation.

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

3Ease of operation

If a transparent display panel is used to show surface images, then user input via touch panel is facilitated, but the display panel attenuates the transmitted light from the virtual image

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch panel input capabilityVSAvoidbrightness of virtual image
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the optical properties of the transparent display panel. Specifically, the panel's material composition, thickness, and transparency parameters are adjusted to minimize light attenuation while maintaining sufficient structural integrity and touch sensitivity. This allows the panel to transmit maximum light from the virtual image while still enabling effective touch input functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating different optical properties in different regions or layers of the display structure. The transparent display panel is designed with varying transparency and thickness characteristics in different areas to balance the competing requirements: regions requiring touch input have optimized properties for tactile sensitivity, while regions requiring high brightness transmission have optimized properties for light transmission. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction between touch capability and image brightness.

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

The device reduces eye strain by enabling comfortable viewing of images at varying distances, maintaining relaxed eye muscles and providing adjustable modes to minimize stress, thus reducing the risk of myopia and enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

The display device comprises a diffractive expander panel to form a plurality of output light beams by diffractively expanding the input light beams

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP4711839A1Display device for long distance viewing
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 SHENZHEN OPTIAVE DISPLAY TECH CO LTD
  • EP4711839A1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP4711839A1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP4711839A1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

The present application discloses a display device and a method of displaying images, which relates to the field of optical display technology. The display device of the present application 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 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 and to control forming of the second image, wherein the display panel is positioned between the expander panel and the viewing region, wherein the display panel is transparent so as to allow propagation of the output light beams from the expander panel to the viewing region through the display 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.