transparent lcd panel manufacturer free sample

Screen Solutions offers complete solutions for transparent displays including standard and custom display cases. SSI has designed and built transparent displays for companies like Chrysler, Lockheed Martin, Mazda and many others over the last 15 years.

Standard Sizes start as small as 10″ and can get as big as 86″ Diagonal as seen in the video to your left. These complete displays include transparent panel, lighting, glass, display case and even a touch screen if you want.

Transparent LCD’s provide an innovative display solution opening up new ways for brands to promote their products and services. Examples include retail stores looking to advertise a new fashion clothing or accessory, museums securely housing a precious artifact with information displayed on screen or brands looking to launch a new product at a live event or show. The opportunities are endless!

Our Transparent LCD Displays include a Grade A LCD panel with metal bezel protecting the edges / electronics and a media board supporting HDMI or VGA inputs from your PC, Laptop or Media Player.

Transparent screen technology offers intriguing ways to deliver visual information to your audience, being used to reveal or conceal products, objects or artefacts behind the screen.

The combination of HD LCD technology (4K on our 65″, 86″, 98″ version) with a transparent screen substrate opens up creative avenues that were previously closed with traditional LCD displays. Solid black pixels on a transparent background can be used in intriguing ways to hide (and gradually reveal) whatever is behind the screen.

Our Transparent LCD monitors are designed for integration into the customers own furniture housing or display case while our Transparent LCD showcases offer a complete solution including the display, housing and backlight with white or black options available on request. We can also offer custom freestanding options for POP / POS displays. Transparent LCD’s are predominantly fully housed however we’ve recently developed an innovative housing method using a high brightness LED panel which allows the display case sides to remain transparent for improved visibly into the display case.

Using their original design as a starting point, we worked closely with the team at Nike to adapt to the mechanical aspects of the design, the result was a sleek and minimalist set of nine Transparent LCD Display Screens, custom built to suit the applications requirements, bringing Nike’s original concept ideas to life.

Transparent LCD’s comprise of an LCD panel without the backlight with white pixels appearing as transparent. In order to display an image, the Transparent LCD needs to be integrated into a housing with a high bright LED backlight.

We can also offer more complete solutions like our Transparent LCD Showcase that comes fully contained and ready to use with a powerful backlighting system to guarantee the best picture quality.

Yes in order to display an image Transparent LCD’s need to have a strong backlight. Notoriously Transparent LCD’s have also needed some form of housing to achieve optimum image quality, however, Nike’s House of Innovation paired our Transparent LCD’s with powerful, oversized backlights that allowed the screens to be mounted with no surround but still producing a high-quality image.

Transparent LCD’s are arguably the most popular transparent screens but are hindered by their need for a backlight to operate. For applications looking for a similar effect without the backlighting, Transparent OLEDs require no housing or surround but are only currently available in a 55″ screen size with HD quality. For larger transparent screen applications, Transparent LED’s are recommended with external and internal solutions usually installed to glass facades for the impact of an led screen without compromising the view from inside the building.

We also offer transparent projection technologies including our Clearview Rear Projection Film featured in Guardians of the Galaxy as well as at the 83rd Oscars celebration and MTV EMA awards.

Transparent LCD’s are a great way to combine physical and digital displays in one central place making them a popular choice for museums and exhibitions. Our transparent screens can also be integrated into display furniture and appliances & vending machines like freezer doors for supermarkets. Other uses include POS displays, store window displays, trade shows and product launches.

We manufacture in Britain and ship worldwide – if you need further information, a pricing quote, or want to discuss ideas for using our Transparent LCD Display click the link below to contact us, email us via info@prodisplay.com or call us on +44 (0)1226 361 306.

Transparent lcd displays are flexible, which allows them to display a variety of displays at different prices. For flexible customers, such as hotels, restaurants, beauty salons, and pubs or beauty salons. Find flexible lcd displays available in a wide range of flexible colors options such as black, white, and yellow, and blue lcd displays are flexible, which allows easy viewing and changes of the content at a time.

Flexible transparent lcd displays are available for wholesale buyers at Alibaba.com. Check out Alibaba.com ’ s wide variety of flexible transparent lcd options available at wholesale prices. These flexible transparent lcd options are not only for retailers but also for customers that are looking for a new and used flexible transparent lcd options.

With micro crystal displays, the transparent nature of the display makes them easy to use and can be found in a wide range of colors. LCD displays are commonly found in the form of a transparent display, which is suitable for a variety of uses.

This micro display is different from the other glass and can be used as decorations for other products. Crystal transparent glass is a kind of crystal transparent glass and can be used in a variety of situations.

Transparent display technology surrounds us, even if we aren’t aware of it. In this article we look at transparent head-up displays, LCDs, OLEDs and transparent electroluminescent technology and delve into the pros and cons of the four main transparent technology displays.

However, if you think this is new technology, think again. While most transparent technology has come to the fore since the millennium, it was being used as far back as the mid-20th century.

In this article, we’re looking at four types of transparent tech which include typical projection head-up displays (HUDs), LCDs, OLEDs, and transparent electroluminescent displays (TASEL). We’ll look at the pros and cons of each and show you how transparent display technology plays an essential part in our working lives and free time. An explanatory

The first steps into creating transparent head-up displays can be traced back as far as 1937. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s, following perfections to the technology by the US and British Royal Navies, UK Ministry of Defence and, finally, the Royal Aircraft Establishment in 1958, that the first true projection ‘head-up display’ was incorporated into aircraft.

There is also an emerging technology calledTASEL, which makes it possible to laminate displays in glass and show information without a projection system. However, as this a different transparent technology, we’ll mention thislaterin the article.

The most common transparent projection HUD is a display composed by a piece of flat glass used to project images in front of the pilot. This allows the pilot to keep their head up (hence the name ‘head-up display’) so they’re not distracted by looking down at their control panel for information during flight.

Why have we included LCDs as a transparent display when, at first glance, they’re not truly transparent? In fact, we’re only able to see the information on our monitors, such as laptops, with the introduction of a backlight and a reflector shield.

Take these away and we see true transparency of the LCD display - which is something Samsung did in 2012 with the production of theirSamsung Transparent Smart Window.

LCDs are also one of the most popular screens on the market and this rise occurred early in the 21st century when liquid-crystal-display sets rocketed in popularity. In 2007, LCDs eclipsed sales of competing technologies like plasma, cathode ray tube, and rear-projection TVs.

They were thinner and lighter, easier to scale. And for the manufacturers, the cost of production was lower, so it’s easy to see how LCD displays quickly became a favorite with manufacturers and consumers.

Organic light-emitting diode displays, orOLEDsfor short, are a step up from LCDs when it comes to transparent technology. For starters, unlike LCDs, OLEDs do not require the use of a backlight or any other filters due to the use of pixels which produce their own light.

Lumineq’s Transparent Electroluminescent displays consist of a glass panel with a luminescent phosphorous layer and a circuit board. The circuit board contains the drive and controls which are connected directly to the glass panel making the panel light up.

The transparent electroluminescent displays are good solutions for transportation vehicles such as cars, buses, trucks, trains, trams, boats, and airplanes because they can be laminated in glass and turn windows/windshields into information and functional displays.

It’s viewable from all angles, is visible in all types of weather conditions and is theonlytransparent display capable of working in the most extreme environments, from the freezing temperatures of the Arctic winter to the blistering heat of a desert summer.

However, due to the limitation of monochromatic images, transparent electroluminescent displays shouldn’t be used as entertainment screens in vehicles - they should be used to display only the most critical information in the eye-line of the driver without distractions.

This comparison of different transparent display technologies is conducted by the Ph.D. reseracher Jose Rosa for theImmerSAFE project. The project stands for "IMMERSIVE VISUAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR SAFETY-CRITICAL APPLICATIONS".

Each transparent display has its positives and negatives, and they’re all fantastic ways to showcase transparent display technology at its best when applied in areas which suit their purpose perfectly.

Lumineq’s transparent electroluminescent displays are ideal in transportation vehicles, heavy machinery, such as tractors, and optical devices, like range-finders and night-vision goggles.

To read how in-glass technology is making giant strides in optical devices, read our post ‘Bring augmented reality to optical devices with transparent displays’, or to find out more about Lumineq"s transparent electroluminescent technology,contact ustoday.

As exciting as these unlimited possibilities are, they also create a new need for understanding and embracing the benefits of see-through displays. The eBook from below will provide you with ideas, inspiration, basic guidelines and industry examples for designing transparent displays for vehicles – from cars, tractors, and ships to aircraft.

STONE Technologies is a proud manufacturer of superior quality TFT LCD modules and LCD screens. The company also provides intelligent HMI solutions that perfectly fit in with its excellent hardware offerings.

STONE TFT LCD modules come with a microcontroller unit that has a 1GHz Cortex-A8 CPU. Such a module can easily be transformed into an HMI screen. Simple hexadecimal instructions can be used to control the module through the UART port. Furthermore, you can seamlessly develop STONE TFT LCD color user interface modules and add touch control, features to them.

Becoming a reputable TFT LCD manufacturer is no piece of cake. It requires a company to pay attention to detail, have excellent manufacturing processes, the right TFT display technology, and have a consumer mindset.

Now, we list down 10 of the best famous LCD manufacturers globally. We’ll also explore why they became among the top 10 LCD display Manufacturers in the world.

Interface Devises Business includes Display and Senor, Sensor, and Application Solutions. As a leading company in the global semiconductor display industry, BOE has made the Chinese display industry develop from scratch to maturity and prosperity. Now, more than one-quarter of the global display panels are made by BOE, with its UHD, flexible display, microdisplay, and other solutions broadly applied to well-known worldwide brands.

LG Display is a leading manufacturer of thin-film transistor liquid crystal displays (TFT-LCD) panels, OLED, and flexible displays.LG Display began developing TFT-LCD in 1987 and currently offers Display panels in a variety of sizes and specifications using different cutting-edge technologies (IPS, OLED, and flexible technology).

Founded in 2003, Innolink listed its shares in Taiwan in 2006. In March 2010, it merged with Chi Mei Optoelectronics and Tong Bao Optoelectronics, the largest merger in the panel industry. Qunchuang is the surviving company and Chi Mei Electronics is the company name. In December 2012, it was renamed As Qunchuang Optoelectronics.

With innovative and differentiated technologies, QINNOOptoelectronics provides advanced display integration solutions, including 4K2K ultra-high resolution, 3D naked eye, IGZO, LTPS, AMOLED, OLED, and touch solutions. Qinnooptoelectronics sets specifications and leads the market. A wide range of product line is across all kinds of TFT LCD panel modules, touch modules, for example, TV panel, desktop and laptop computer monitor with panels, small and medium scale “panels, medical, automotive, etc., the supply of cutting-edge information and consumer electronics customers around the world, for the world TFT – LCD (thin-film transistor liquid crystal display) leading manufacturers.

AU Optronics Co., LTD., formerly AU Optronics Corporation, was founded in August 1996. It changed its name to AU Optronics after its merger with UNIOPtronics in 2001. Through two mergers, AU has been able to have a full range of generations of production lines for panels of all sizes.Au Optronics is a TFT-LCD design, manufacturing, and r&d company. Since 2008, au Optronics has entered the green energy industry, providing customers with high-efficiency solar energy solutions.

Sharp has been called the “father of LCD panels”.Since its founding in 1912, Sharp developed the world’s first calculator and LIQUID crystal display, represented by the living pencil, which was invented as the company name. At the same time, Sharp is actively expanding into new areas to improve people’s living standards and social progress. Made a contribution.

BYD IT products and businesses mainly include rechargeable batteries, plastic mechanism parts, metal parts, hardware electronic products, cell phone keys, microelectronics products, LCD modules, optoelectronics products, flexible circuit boards, chargers, connectors, uninterruptible power supplies, DC power supplies, solar products, cell phone decoration, cell phone ODM, cell phone testing, cell phone assembly business, notebook computer ODM, testing and manufacturing and assembly business, etc.

Kyocera was founded in 1959 as a manufacturer of technical ceramics. Industrial ceramics is a series of advanced materials with unique physical, chemical, and electronic properties. Today, most of Kyocera’s products are related to telecommunications, including semiconductor components, RF and microwave packaging, passive electronic components, wireless mobile phones and network equipment, crystal oscillators and connectors, and optoelectronic products for optoelectronic communication networks.

Tianma microelectronics co., LTD., founded in 1983, the company focus on smartphones, tablets, represented by high order laptop display market of consumer goods and automotive, medical, POS, HMI, etc., represented by professional display market, and actively layout smart home, intelligent wear, AR/VR, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other emerging markets, to provide customers with the best product experience.IN terms of technology, the company has independently mastered leading technologies such as LTPS-TFT, AMOLED, flexible display, Oxide-TFT, 3D display, transparent display, and in-cell/on-cell integrated touch control. TFT-LCD key Materials and Technologies National Engineering Laboratory, national enterprise Technology Center, post-doctoral mobile workstation, and undertake national Development and Reform Commission, The Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and other major national thematic projects. The company’s long-term accumulation and continuous investment in advanced technology lay the foundation for innovation and development in the field of application.

a line of extreme and ultra-narrow bezel LCD displays that provides a video wall solution for demanding requirements of 24x7 mission-critical applications and high ambient light environments

The global transparent display market size was USD 1.26 Billion in 2021 and is expected to register a revenue CAGR of 45.0% during the forecast period. Increasing usage of transparent displays in media & entertainment industries for advertisement and better user experience is expected to drive market revenue growth. In addition, rising innovation in display technologies will play a major part in the future of smartphones, laptops, and automobiles. Increasing innovations in micro-OLED technology have potential to bring Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR) to the next level. Micro-OLED screens can be directly attached to single crystal silicon wafers that create more energy-efficient, self-illuminating displays. This technology is also suited for wearable devices and companies, such as Samsung, Apple, Sony, and others, are developing consumer electronics displays featuring micro-OLEDs.

Technological advancements in OLED display technologies for airplanes, cars, hotel rooms, and others are driving revenue growth of the market. On 02 January 2020, LG announced flexible and transparent 55-inch OLED displays designed to be installed on walls of airplanes to create a sense of openness and freedom in small cabins. These displays will show clouds, sky, and other peaceful things that will elevate passengers’ flight experience while traveling. Passengers can also turn off transparency if they want privacy. In addition, , according to US-based DPI Labs, a producer of airline cabin technology introduced 4K OLED screens for business and VVIP airplane cabins . In fact, in January 2021, the company successfully installed 55-inch and 65-inch OLED screens on VVIP Boeing 767. This installation includes a complete cabin management system consisting of passenger and cabin crew control panels, audio/video distribution, cabin control modules, and multi-colored LED cabin lighting.

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are interested in advanced forward-looking displays for mobility solutions. Manufacturers are taking initiatives, such as on 30 November 2021, Covestro and Ceres Holographics, a company based in Scotland announced to expand their collaboration to create transparent displays with volume holographic optical elements suitable for the car industry. With this collaboration, creation of vehicle-specific master designs will also be possible, which can subsequently be replicated as large-format HoloFlekt films and incorporated into glass.

Rising demand for OLED displays in the automotive sector is driving revenue growth in the market. Transparent OLED panels are also ideal for use in long-distance traveling by buses, trains, and other public transportation as they are surrounded by windows that can serve as displays showing information about routes, tourist attractions, weather, news, advertisements, and any others. Polymer Organic Light-Emitting Diode (P-OLED) technology replaces glass with polymers or plastic substrates and offers superior image quality and clarity in vehicles. In addition, Augmented Reality (AR) can be used on windshield displays, which offers more vivid and convenient information to drivers and also helps to decrease road accidents. Moreover, rising demand for autonomous and Electric Vehicles (EVs) is also increasing demand for Head-Up Displays (HUDs). Autonomous cars are built to communicate with other road users through exterior displays. Smart transparent display increases visualization and shows information such as vehicle’s driving mode, speed limit, visual detection of other vehicles and nearby pedestrians, and navigation instructions, which helps to increase road safety.

However, a complicated setup that occupies space and high cost of installation and maintenance are expected to hamper growth of the market. Transparent display technology is still developing, which has led to high manufacturing costs. Production of black images, limited viewing angle, limited brightness, and screen lag, and blur are some other factors restraining growth of transparent LED displays. Furthermore, materials used in OLEDs are impacted by environment, as they are sensitive to moisture and intense heat can discolor the screen, and its pixels are quickly burned. Compared to other transparent technologies, it also loses brightness significantly more quickly. These factors are expected to hamper revenue growth of the market over the forecast period.

Based on technology, the global transparent display market is segmented into OLED, LCD, and others. The OLED segment is expected to register a rapid revenue CAGR owing to various benefits and being more transparent than conventional LCD technology. Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) does not need a backlight source to reflect and create an image. Transparent OLED screens are self-emissive as they are made up of pixels. and panel allows light to travel through in both directions, which makes it transparent even after being turned off. OLEDs also have advantage of being 40% more transparent as compared to traditional LCDs, which can only reach up to 10% transparency. Manufacturers are using this advantage to replace LCD products with OLEDs. For example, LG launched "OLED Shelf," made with two transparent OLED screens, which smoothly integrates into any living room decorating and adds a touch of elegance by hanging off from shelf on the wall and is also best for displaying TV shows or gallery paintings.

Based on product, the global transparent display market is segmented into smart appliances, Head-Up Displays (HUDs), digital signage, and others. The smart appliance segment is expected to register a rapid growth rate during the forecast period due to rising demand for high-quality LEDs and laptops for gaming. Demand for gaming displays are surging since the onset of pandemic driving revenue growth in this segment. For example, LG is all set to launch its highly-touted 48-inch and 42-inch gaming OLED displays to the market by end of 2022. LG gaming range OLEDs have already received high praise from gaming community and are faster than conventional LCD counterparts.

Based on end-use, the global transparent display market is segmented into transportation & logistics, media & entertainment, automotive, aerospace, healthcare, and others. The media & entertainment segment accounted for largest revenue share in 2021 owing to high demand for OLED screens for better visualization. Transparent display technology provides angle-free and stunning Full High Definition (FHD) pictures, which is perfect for futuristic or hi-tech environments and creates incredible effects for media productions. Transparent OLED technology offers a visual effect with its impactful display solutions that is not attainable with other technologies, making it perfect for digital signage and prop/visual effects. Majority of companies now prefer to use transparent display panels for branding or advertising. As these screens provide a strong visual impact on audience by playing dynamic graphics or even 3D images continuously, leaving them with a lasting visual impact on the brand.

The North America market accounted for second-largest revenue share in 2021 owing to rising demand for cutting-edge corporate display solutions in public and private sectors to create next-generation working experiences. For example, at InfoComm 2022, Planar, a pioneer in visualization technology announced to showcase a number of cutting-edge video wall LED display systems. This system offers unmatched viewing experiences with its seamless, wide-view LED video wall displays, which are perfect for video conferencing, Unified Communications (UC), and hybrid meeting spaces. Rising demand for OLED transparent display screens in the media & entertainment industry is also contributing to revenue growth of the market in this region. Trains and bus companies in the U.S., Canada, and other countries in the region are also developing advanced technologies to use transparent OLED panels in subways, metros, and tourist buses to enhance safety and experience.

The Asia Pacific market accounted for largest revenue share in 2021 owing to advancements in transparent display technologies such as moveable screens and room dividers and presence of major companies such as LG Electronics, and others in the region. Moreover, Chinese cities such as Beijing and Shenzhen use transparent High Definition (HD) displays in subways and underground trains. Japanese East Japan Railway Company uses transparent displays on tourist trains routed between Akita and Aomori, which is also contributing to revenue growth of the market in this region. Mergers, collaboration, and partnerships are also driving revenue growth in the region. For example, on 09 December 2020, JOLED, which is a Japan-based company partnered with Germany-based AERQ to integrate medium-sized OLED displays in aircraft cabins.

The Europe market is expected to register a steady growth rate over the forecast period. Countries in Europe are more developed in terms of technology and infrastructure, which is creating major revenue opportunities for providers offering latest transparent display solutions. For example, UK-based tech firm Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) is working on a new concept, an airplane with flexible screens and invisible walls, windows, and panels to display 360-degree images of the outside. These invisible walls will be covered with ultra-thin, lightweight, and malleable screens made from flexible OLED technology and will broadcast streaming high-quality footage of outside scenes of the plane. Removing windows entirely would significantly reduce weight of aircraft and will also reduce its fuel consumption and carbon footprint.

The global transparent display market is fragmented with many small, medium, and large-sized companies accounting for market revenue. Major companies are deploying various strategies, entering into mergers & acquisitions, strategic agreements & contracts, developing, testing, and introducing more effective transparent displays. Some major companies included in the global transparent display market report are:

On 03 January 2022, LG Display, a leading innovator of display technologies showcased its latest innovations at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2022. OLED shelf, smart window, shopping managing showcase, and show window are some of the display concepts used by LG and it is made by using 55-inch Full-HD transparent OLED panels that provide 40% transparency. LG transparent high-end OLED technologies provide commercial, home, and office spaces with an innovative and new consumer experience.

For the purpose of this report, Emergen Research has segmented the global transparent display market based on technology, offerings, product, end-use, and region:

The transparent interface Rælclear is a liquid crystal display realized by JDI"s advanced technology which can display contents without using the backlight. It is a monitor with 84% transmissivity, which is realized by combining it with a power supply, drive circuit and HDMI interface. The projected image can be viewed clearly from both sides (front and back).

Set the transparent interface Rælclear between you and the person facing you and activate the transcription system*3. When you speak to the person facing you, the voice input through the microphone to the PC or tablet is transcribed and displayed on the second monitor, Rælclear.

Since the display is highly transparent and you can view images from both front and back, you can read the transcribed content of the conversation while looking at the facial expression as you speak, improving the understanding of the listener. Furthermore, using a speech transcription system with translational capabilities*3, face-to-face communication between different languages is also possible.

Conventional liquid crystal displays require a backlight on the back of the LCD panel preventing users from seeing the speaker’s expression through the display.

Our transparent display monitor Rælclear adopts proprietary technology to successfully remove not only the backlight but also the polarizer, and has an extremely high transmissivity of 84%, providing glass-like transparency.

With our transparent display technology, pixels emit light in all directions. Thus, there is no viewing angle, which is a phenomenon peculiar to liquid crystal displays. This means that images can be clearly recognized from both front and back of the display, allowing the speaker to see what was said on the spot.

The transparent display monitor Rælclear has a very simple design consisting of only an HDMI interface and a power supply. Just plug in the AC adapter and connect Ralclear to your PC via HDMI and it will work as a second monitor, making it very easy-to-use product. In addition, it is light weighing only around 1.1kg, making it convenient to carry around.

Kenta Yamamoto, Ippei Suzuki, Akihisa Shitara, and Yoichi Ochiai. 2021. See-Through Captions: Real-Time Captioning on Transparent Display for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing People.

In this quick guide we’ll cover what Dirty Screen Effect looks like, what’s happening on a technical level, and what, if anything, you can do to get rid of it. We’ll also touch on the notion of the so-called “panel lottery” and how that plays into how clean — or dirty — your new TV screen might look.

Dirty Screen Effect (DSE) is a term that’s used to describe an LCD panel that has inconsistent luminance performance across its surface area. It can appear as random splotches, uniform lines, wide bars, and, in some cases, vignetting (a slight darkening toward the corners). DSE once plagued plasma TV panels as well. But since those are no longer in production, we’ll keep this explainer focused on LCD-based TVs.

As a reminder, any TV that uses an LED backlight also uses an LCD panel, so TVs marketed as LED, QLED, and mini-LED are all susceptible. Due to what causes DSE on a technical level, some may argue it can only apply to LCD-based TVs. However, similar effects can be seen in OLED-based displays — thus the term is often applied — so we’ll include those types of TVs as well, but address them separately.

There are a number of factors stemming from the manufacturing of an LCD panel that can cause Dirty Screen Effect, from variance in backlight distribution to variance in TFT switching for sub-pixels, to variance in conductivity and/or capacitance of transparent electrodes. That’s super-nerdy, though, and the actual cause is less important than the common theme here: inconsistency.

In panel manufacturing, there are numerous variables that can be introduced that would cause an LCD panel to have groups of pixels that shine less bright than others. This variance is, unfortunately, part of the tech that makes our TVs. And the manner in which different manufacturers handle that variance is also … you guessed it: Varied.

Dirty Screen Effect also can be caused by damage to the panel in shipping or mishandling of the TV during the setup or installation process. Generally speaking, it’s recommended one avoids “pinching” or otherwise exerting pressure on the front of the TV screen.

From what I’ve seen, DSE — ranging from insignificant to severe — seems fairly common among newly manufactured LCD-based televisions, due primarily to the nature of LCD panel manufacturing. Very broadly, the less expensive a TV is, the more likely it is to exhibit some level of DSE. More expensive TVs are not immune to the issue, but some manufacturers have tighter quality assurance tolerances for their high-end products so — again, very broadly speaking — DSE tends to be less prevalent among those models.

DSE as a symptom of age is virtually impossible to track, however — again, anecdotally — I have witnessed DSE creep into a TV’s display panel slowly over time and worsen with age. I’ve seen it happen in TVs I own, TVs friends and family have owned, and TVs installed in commercial environments such as hotels and bars.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to eliminate DSE. Some websites suggest loosening the screws on the back of a TV to lessen the strain on the panel. We do not recommend this tactic as it could stand to void an active warranty. Also, it’s not very likely to work.

Really, the best way to get rid of DSE on a newly purchased TV is to catch it early and return or exchange the TV within the typical 30-day customer satisfaction period. It is rare for a manufacturer’s warranty to cover a repair or replacement when the complaint is over a flaw that the said manufacturer has already deemed to be within an acceptable margin of error.

Most TVs offer a “game mode” which, due to its tendency to brighten everything on-screen, can help to obscure DSE. But this is really just a Band-Aid measure. The DSE is still there, but it may be less obvious. Another somewhat helpful tip to reduce the appearance of DSE in LCD panels is to view the TV from as direct an angle as possible. As you move off-axis (view a TV from an angle) DSE tends to become more obvious.

The so-called “panel lottery” refers to the game TV buyers unwittingly play when purchasing a TV. Sometimes you “win the panel lottery,” which is a way of saying that the TV you got was in especially pristine shape and shows no signs of DSE. It’s also a term used to easily express that there’s such a variance in panel quality that it’s virtually impossible you’ll win a perfect panel. In other words, it’s all up to chance.

The present invention relates generally to refrigerated display cases and refrigerator doors and, more particularly, to a refrigerator door with a transparent LCD panel.

The invention described herein includes the use of a transparent LCD glass panel as one of the panes in a three-pane unit, such as one used in an insulated glass refrigerator/freezer door.

Other types of refrigerator/freezer doors also require both power and data. For example, LED light fixtures mounted to the swinging door, LED illuminated marquee signs mounted inside the insulated glass assembly of the door, LCD displays mounted on the door handle, and transparent LCD glass panels with advertising all require both power and data. Most of these products require UL Class 2 low voltage (<60VDC), and many require a data supply, e.g. LCD displays with advertising pictures or videos requiring TCP/IP type data communications.

Generally, the invention is to use a transparent LCD glass panel as one of the panes in a three-pane unit, such as one used in an insulated glass refrigerator/freezer door. With the transparent LCD panel, a consumer can see the media shown on the LCD panel, but can also see inside the display case/refrigerator to view the contents therein. For example, transparent LCD panels are commercially available from Samsung. In a preferred embodiment, the LCD glass panel is used as the center panel. It is within the scope of the present invention to use the LCD glass panel as the inner or outer pane or to add the LCD glass panel as an additional pane. However, in a preferred embodiment, the LCD glass panel needs to be protected from impact and/or moisture damage. Mounting the panel externally may decrease visible transmittance and would also subject the panel to impact by shopping carts. Also, if the store ambient temperature and humidity are not properly controlled, the door can be subject to condensation which may damage the LCD panel or associated electronics. Mounting the panel inside the freezer (adjacent to the food) may cause condensation when the door is opened. Housing the LCD panel inside the hermetically sealed glass unit protects the panel from condensation damage. The associated electronics can also optionally be mounted inside the hermetically sealed glass assembly to protect them from condensation damage. In another embodiment, the electronics can be mounted outside the hermetically sealed glass assembly, such as in the rail of the door.

The door preferably includes the following distinctive features: (1) transparent LCD panel functioning as the center insulating pane of a three-pane low-temp glass freezer door to maximize visible transmittance while maintaining thermal insulating performance; (2) transparent LCD panel mounted between an inner and outer pane of glass to it protect from impact damage; (3) transparent LCD panel mounted inside the hermetically sealed glass unit to protect from moisture damage; (4) mounting the associated electronics, wires, and media player inside the sealed glass unit to protect it from moisture damage or inside the rail of the door; (5) using selectively decorated opaque areas (e.g. screen printing, dot matrix decorating, roller printing, ink jet printing, painting or the like) of the outer or inner pane of glass to hide the circuit boards around the LCD panel perimeter, the wires, and media player hardware of the door assembly, allowing the complete system to be conveniently housed inside the door. The “LCD door” can be used for advertising merchandise, nutritional value, pricing, etc.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a door assembly that includes a single glass unit having at least first, second and third panels, a front surface, a rear surface, and an outside edge. At least one of the first, second or third panels is a transparent LCD panel on which media can be displayed. The single glass unit also includes a frame that at least partially surrounds the outside edge of the single glass unit, and electronic components in electrical communication with the LCD panel. In a preferred embodiment, the second panel comprises the transparent LCD panel and is positioned between the first and third panels and the first panel is spaced from the second panel by a first spacer and the third panel is spaced from the second panel by a second spacer. The first, second and third panels each have an outside edge and a length and a width. The length and the width of the second panel is smaller than the length and the width of the first and third panels, thereby defining a margin between the outer edge of the second panel and the outer edges of the first and third panels. The first panel is spaced from the third panel by a third spacer that is positioned within the margin.

In a preferred embodiment, the single glass unit includes insulation disposed within the margin and between the first and third panels and the second panel is hermetically sealed between the first and third panels. Furthermore, the first panel includes an outer opaque section and an inner transparent section through which the second panel is visible. In one embodiment, the electronic components for running the LCD panel are disposed between the first and third panels. In another embodiment, the electronic components are positioned in the rail and the rail includes a removable cover for accessing the electronic components. In an embodiment, one of the panels includes an electro-conductive film thereon that is generally clear, wherein when a voltage is applied across a portion of the film, the film becomes opaque. In an embodiment, the electronic components are powered by 24V DC.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a series of refrigerated display cases that each include a door assembly with single glass unit having a center LCD panel;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of one of the single glass unit having a center LCD panel of FIG. 1 with a portion of the front outer pane cut away to show the electronic components;

FIG. 1 shows a series of refrigerated display case doors 100 that include a three-pane unit, single glass unit or package 10 with a transparent LCD panel 16 associated therewith. FIGS. 2-4 show the single glass unit 10 with front/outer pane 12, rear/inner pane 14 and center transparent LCD panel 16. It will be understood that in FIGS. 2-4 and 8, the outer perimeter or frame 102 of the door 100 is not shown. In a preferred embodiment, the panes are glass. However, any transparent material, such as plastic, can be used.

As shown in FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment, the single glass unit 10 includes front and rear panes 12 and 14, LCD panel 16, electronic components 18, spacers 20a, 20b,20c, and insulation 22. In a preferred embodiment, the front and rear panes 12 and 14 include an opaque section 24 that obscures or hides components inside the unit 10. For example, by providing the opaque section 24 (preferably done by screen printing or some other type of coating) on selected areas of one or more of the panes 12 and/or 14, the spacers 20a, 20b, 20cinsulation 22, electronic components 18 and other components can be housed inside the unit 10 (and the door 100) and hidden from view. Thermal insulation 22 may be added in certain areas to maintain the overall thermal performance of the door.

Each panel 12, 14 and 16, has a front and rear surface, For ease of description, these are described herein and depicted in FIG. 4 as surfaces 121, 122, 123, 124, 125 and 126. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in use surface 121 faces the customer and surface 126 faces the interior space of the display case.

In a preferred embodiment, the opaque section 24 on the front and rear panes 12 and 14 (or dot matrix decorating, etc.) is placed on surfaces 122 and 125 to hide the components therein and the margin of the LCD panel, etc. However, this is not a limitation and the opaque section(s) can be placed on any desired surface.

It will be understood that the LCD panel may include a number of different layers or panes of glass/plexiglass or the like laminated to one another. Accordingly, as used herein, the LCD panel can be a single layer or multi-layer panel that includes an LCD screen for playing media. For example, the LCD screen may include a layer of glass adhered thereto to improve strength and reduce flex when the door is slammed. This can add strength to the LCD panel by essentially making it a double laminated panel. In a preferred embodiment, the LCD panel 16 has an aluminum rail therearound.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, unit 10 includes at least three different spacers 20a, 20band 20c. Spacer 20aspans the space between the front and rear panels 12 and 14, spacer 20bspans the space between the front panel 12 and the LCD panel 16, and spacer 20cspans the space between the rear panel 14 and the LCD panel 16, as is shown in FIG. 4. It will be understood that the spacers 20a, 20band 20care adhered to a surface of the panel 12, 14 or 16. For example, spacer 20ais adhered to the inner surfaces of front panel 12 and rear panel 14. In a preferred embodiment, the spacers 20a,20band 20care made of an elastomeric material. However, this is not a limitation on the present invention. The spacers can be made of other materials, such as a polymer, a metal such as aluminum, etc. The elastomeric material or spacers 20band 20csupports and suspends the LCD panel 16 inside the door and between the front and rear panels 12 and 14, thus helping prevent damage from shock and vibration when the door 100 closes. In another embodiment, the spacers 20a, 20band 20ccan be formed as a unit, as shown in FIG. 8 and as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,563, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. In this embodiment, the front and rear panels 12 and 14 are spaced from the center panel by spacers 20band 20c, but they are also connected by spacer 20a.This essentially forms a single spacer with a detent in the middle for receiving the LCD panel 16.

When incorporating a single glass unit 10 with a transparent LCD panel 16, the door includes components 18 for operation of the LCD screen. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, in a preferred embodiment, the LCD panel 16 is smaller (length and width dimensions) than the outer panes 12 and 14. This provides space or a margin 25 around the perimeter of the LCD panel 16 for housing the components 18. For example, the unit 10 or door 100 can include circuit board(s) 26 (labeled A-D board in FIG. 2), wires or cables 28, a media player 30 (that includes a hard drive with memory and appropriate software) and associated connectors and such for providing media and/or power to the LCD panel 16. In another embodiment, the unit 10 can include one or more speakers 29, as shown in FIG. 7. In a preferred embodiment, components 18 are positioned within the margin 25 under the LCD panel 16. However, this is not a limitation on the present invention and the components 18 can be positioned as desired. See, for example, FIG. 7, where the components are positioned in the rail of the door, which is described more fully below.

As discussed above, in a preferred embodiment, unit 10 includes a media player 30 for controlling and playing media on the LCD panel 16. Data can be provided to the media player 30 via wires or cables or wirelessly, e.g., Wi-Fi, 802.11:x, etc., as desired (with the appropriate transmitter and/or receiver). In a preferred embodiment, the media player 30 includes a solid-state drive to prevent a spinning hard drive from failing when the door is slammed. However, this is not a limitation on the present invention and a spinning hard drive or other type of drive can also be used. Wireless (or wired) communications with the media player 30 can be used to deliver desired content to be played on the LCD panel 16, e.g, advertising content, nutritional content, special offers, etc. For example, the invention can implement IP addressable communications so an advertiser can remotely feed new data over the Internet. Furthermore, this allows remote monitoring of the health of the hard drive of the media player and associated electronic components.

In a preferred embodiment, the case into which the door 100 is mounted is pre-wired with low-voltage DC power supply, e.g. 12V, 24V, UL Class 2, etc. so that it accepts a transparent LCD door 100 with power through the hinge pin 31, or wired cords near the rotating hinge pin. However, this is not a limitation on the present invention. For example, a high-voltage option can also be implemented. As shown in FIG. 5, insulated electrical conductors and/or wired communications (for the media player 30 and associated components) can be directed through the hinge pin 31 (e.g., via TCP/IP-type Internet communications).

One feature of a preferred embodiment of the invention is to provide an electrical hinge pin 31, similar to the "582 patent hinge pin, but replacing the AC conductors of the "582 patent with low-voltage DC conductors and a data cable. The elimination of the high voltage AC conductors makes more space available in the hinge pin 31 for both the low-voltage DC antisweat heat and powering the electronics, and a data cable, e.g. Cat 5 with TCP/IP type communications. The low voltage conductors (e.g., 24V DC) can be used to power all electronic components, such as the components 18 for the LCD panel 16, heated glass, anti-sweat perimeter heating, etc. In another embodiment, the electrical hinge pin can be omitted and a regular hinge pin can be used. For example, in an outside mount embodiment of the door, the electronic components can be powered by (and data communicated therewith) a cord that does not run through the hinge pin. This type of door may be used, for example, on a self serve case at the end of a check out aisle in a store.

In a preferred embodiment, (and preferably in low-temp applications), an insulating gas, such as argon, xenon or other insulating gas can be used to fill the inner and/or outer cavities 32 between the LCD panel 16 and the front and rear panes 12 and 14, as shown in FIG. 4 (and other voids or cavities within the unit 10). In a preferred embodiment, the gas-filled inner cavities 32 are hermetically sealed (see seal 33 in FIG. 4) to keep from contaminating the transparent LCD panel 16 with dust, residue or outgassing from the outer insulated cavity containing insulation and electronics.

The thickness of the unit 10 can be different for different applications. However, in an exemplary embodiment, the overall thickness of the unit 10 is preferably about 0.125″, with the front and rear panes 12 and 14 being about 0.125″ thick and the center LCD pane 16 being about 0.125″ thick. These dimensions are not a limitation on the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, any of the panes/panels 12, 14 or 16 can include an electro-conductive coating, such as a pyrolitic coating that is applied by spraying. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other electro-conductive coatings can be used and can be adhered, applied, laminated or the like on a desired surface. For example, a chemical vapor deposition technique can be used. However, this is not a limitation on the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, panes 12, 14 and 16 are preferably designed to maximize visible light transmission from inside the case to the customer, thereby improving the ability of customers to view display items. However, it is also desirable to minimize the transmission of non-visible light (i.e., ultraviolet and infrared light) through glass unit 10 from outside to inside the case in order to improve thermal performance and to protect items therein. Coolers are a type of refrigerated display case which operate at a temperature of approximately 38° F. Freezers are another type of refrigerated display case which operate below 0° F. When the glass unit 10 of such display cases comes into contact with ambient air, the relatively colder glass unit 10 can cause moisture in the air to condense on the surfaces of the glass unit. Thus, besides the use of the electro-conductive coating described above, it is desirable to use the non-visible wavelengths of light to heat the glass panels, thus reducing or preventing condensation. In a preferred embodiment, the panes 12, 14 and 16 can also include a UV inhibitor, which can help increase the shelf life of products inside. Also, panes 12, 14 and 16 may include low-emissivity heat-reflective coatings to improve overall thermal resistance and/or prevent external condensation. In an embodiment where reflection is an issue, an anti-reflective coating can be applied to any of the panes the glass unit 10.

In a preferred embodiment, touch screen technology 34, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, can be used. Exemplary touch screen technology is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2009/0146945 and 2007/0216657, the entireties of which are incorporated by reference herein. In this embodiment, a user can touch the front of the outer panel 12 and access information as desired. In various embodiments, the entire outer panel 12 can incorporate touch screen technology or only various portions of the outer panel 12 can include touch screen technology. For example, the user can access nutritional information about the contents of the case or the user can access information about the layout of the store.

In a preferred embodiment, the unit 10 includes motion sensor technology, such as a visual recognition camera 36, as shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the media player 30 only plays content on the LCD panel 16, when a person walks by or in front of the unit 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the unit 10 can include software that allows the camera 36, and/or the components thereof, to recognize if a man or a woman is standing in front of the door 100. Therefore, the advertisement or other media played on the LCD panel 16 can be tailored to the specific gender of the person standing in front of the door 100.

In another preferred embodiment, two or more smaller screens can be combined in a matrix to increase the visible display area. For example a 46″ 16:9 standard TV size in a 30″×67″ door leaves a large opaque margin top and bottom. Two smaller adjacent panels would leave more space for visible transmittance. Another way to increase the visible area is to cut down the long side of a larger 16:9 LCD panel such that it better fits the typical 67″ or 75″ vertical height but would otherwise exceed the standard 30″ width.

Furthermore, the LCD panel does not have to be the center panel. In other embodiments, the LCD panel can be the inside or outside panel. For example, a transparent LCD screen can be adhered or laminated to the outside panel or the inside panel of a triple pane refrigerator door. In another embodiment, the unit 10 can include more than three panels or panes. For example, the LCD panel 16 can be inserted between the first and second or second and third panels in a triple pane refrigerator door.

In a preferred embodiment, a separate pocket is created in the margin of the door outside the hermetic seal of the insulated glass, that would allow access to the media player and related electronic components 18 for service or upgrade. This can be implemented by using an “offset” insulated glass package/unit (e.g. pane number three is smaller than pane number one) to create the pocket to contain the media player or other electronics to allow service. However, the glass package/unit does not have to be offset. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the pocket38 is created or defined in the hollow area made by the rail 106. As shown, the rail 106 can include a cover 40 that is removably attached to the rail 106 by threaded fasteners or the like. The cover 40 can be removed to allow access to the pocket 38 and the electronic components 18 therein, thus allowing repair, upgrade, replacement, etc. In FIG. 7, the pocket 38, cover 40 and components 18 are shown in the top rail 106 of the door 100. However, the pocket 38, cover 40 and components 18 (such as speaker 29) can be mounted in any rail or portion of the frame. In another embodiment, the electronic components for running the LCD panel can be mounted in the display case or refrigerator.

In another preferred embodiment, the unit 10 includes a switchable film or glass 42 disposed or laminated on at least one of the surfaces of the front or rear panels 12 and/or 14, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. In a preferred embodiment, the film is disposed on surface five, which is the front surface of the rear panel 14. The panel with the switchable film 42 can be formed by laminating a liquid crystal switchable film thereon or the film can be directly mounted on the panel with a double sided tape, optical glue or the like. In use, a voltage is selectively applied to the film to make it either clear or opaque as desired. In a preferred embodiment, if a voltage is applied to the film, it goes clear and if no voltage is applied it is opaque or frosted. Therefore, in use, if no voltage is applied, images on the clear LCD panel look like a regular television, which helps accentuate the images on the transparent LCD panel and eliminate the distracting contrast of the product in the display case. Then when a voltage is applied, the film goes clear and the product in the case is easier to see. In another embodiment, the film 42 is disposed on the front or center panels. In another embodiment, the film 42 is disposed on another panel, such as a fourth panel. In another embodiment, the single glass unit includes only two panels, one of which is the LCD panel and the other includes the switchable film 42. This type of unit can be used in non-door applications, such as in department store windows, etc. where the window is desirable to be transparent at times and opaque at other times to better see the media on the LCD panel. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, appropriate wiring and the like can be associated with the film 42 to supply the voltage. In a preferred embodiment, switchable film 42 is backlit with the display case lighting.

In an embodiment, the door 100 can include a light guide plate (made of glass, plexiglass or the like) that helps illuminate (preferably via LED lighting) the images on the LCD panel. Other types of lighting for LCD panel are also within the scope of the invention.