Window Cover Icon Visibility Control via Layered Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display devices with window covers struggle to control the visibility and color transmittance of icons, making them visible all the time, which is not desirable for specific modes or user experiences.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a window cover featuring a multi-layered structure including a window base substrate, first and second color layers, a light-blocking layer, and an icon layer, where the icon layer fills openings defined in these layers, allowing for controlled visibility and color of icons only in specific modes through the use of an icon backlight unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If icons are always visible on the window cover, then users can always access icon functions, but icons cannot be hidden in specific modes and color transmittance cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The window cover is divided into multiple functional layers: a base layer, an icon layer with opening patterns, and a color layer with opening patterns. Each layer serves a specific function - the base layer provides structural support, the icon layer defines icon shapes and positions, and the color layer controls light transmittance and color appearance. This segmentation allows independent control of icon visibility and color properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The window cover transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one by introducing controllable elements. The color layer can change its light-blocking properties based on operational modes, allowing icons to be visible or hidden dynamically. This enables the system to adapt icon visibility to different usage scenarios without requiring physical reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-layered structure with openings is used to control icon visibility, then icon visibility and color can be controlled, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses opening patterns (apertures) in the color layer that replicate or copy the icon design from the icon layer. This allows the color layer to control light transmittance while maintaining the icon shape definition, enabling flexible control of icon appearance without requiring complex custom manufacturing for each layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The window cover employs a composite structure combining transparent or translucent materials with specific optical properties. The color layer uses materials that can be formulated with varying light-blocking characteristics, allowing control of icon color and transmittance. This composite approach enables functional control while using standard manufacturing techniques for each layer.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the icon layer is filled with colored material, then icon color can be adjusted, but light transmittance control becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The color layer is designed with spatially varying properties - different regions have different light-blocking characteristics corresponding to different icon areas. Some regions allow high light transmittance while others block light completely. This local quality variation enables simultaneous control of icon color appearance and light transmittance, with each region optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes materials and structures that can change or control color appearance and light transmittance properties. The color layer can be designed to exhibit different optical properties based on the underlying icon layer pattern, enabling dynamic control of icon color and visibility without requiring active energy consumption for color change.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a display panel and a window cover disposed on the display panel. The window cover includes an active area and a non-active area including an icon area. The window cover includes a window base substrate, a first color layer which is disposed on the window base substrate and covers the icon area, a second color layer which is disposed on the first color layer and in which a first opening overlapping with the icon area is defined, a light-blocking layer which is disposed on the second color layer and in which a second opening overlapping with the first opening is defined, and an icon layer filling the first opening and the second opening.