Self-emissive display with switchable retarder for high contrast

US10576081B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Apple Inc. · US

Inventors

• Shih Chang Chang · Cupertino, US
• Cheng Chen
• Chin-Wei Lin · Tainan, TW
• Donghee Nam · San Jose, US
• Meng-Huan Ho · San Jose, US
• Minhyuk Choi · Sammamish, US
• Rui Liu · Nanhu, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 31, 2015
• Grant date: Mar 3, 2020
• Expiry date: Jun 3, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G09G2320/066
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Systems and electronic displays with improved contrast even under bright-light conditions are provided. Such an electronic display may include a self-emissive pixel (e.g., OLED or μ-LED) with a corresponding liquid crystal switchable retarder pixel. A liquid crystal layer of the switchable retarder pixel may be tuned to an “on” state or an “off” state. In the “on” state, the switchable retarder pixel may allow outside light that enters the pixel to reflect back out of the pixel. This may add to the amount of light that appears to be emitted from that pixel. In the “off” state, the switchable retarder pixel may block the outside light that enters the pixel from reflecting back out of the pixel. This may reduce the amount of light that appears to be emitted from that pixel. Selectively controlling the switchable retarder pixels may allow for increased contrast even under bright-light conditions.