DISPLAY APPARATUS

• US 20150170608A1
• Filed: 10/14/2014
• Published: 06/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: KIM, Seung Min, KIM, Hyung Ki, NA, Jeong Shan, KO, Tae Jun
• Granted Patent: US 9,984,660 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/005 with glass panels
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/0434 Glass or transparent panels
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/02 Doors; Covers F25D23/08 takes precedence locks or fastenings E05B65/0042
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133605 including specially adapted reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133606 including a specially adapted diffusing, scattering or light controlling members
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133615 Edge-illuminating devices, i.e. illuminating from the side
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/0058 on electrical household appliances, e.g. on a dishwasher, a washing machine or a refrigerator
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/30 in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements panels comprising a number of electrodes in a single cell controlling light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. electro-optical or magneto-optical cell, G02F1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/06 Adjustment of display parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 Display of multiple viewports

Abstract

Provided is a display apparatus having a transparent mode for outputting an internal object and a related image when the internal object is seen through a transparent display and an opaque mode for outputting an image having the same level as in an existing LCD display when an accurate image needs to be output on the display. A display apparatus according to an embodiment may include a main body, and a display unit coupled to the main body and configured to implement at least one of a transparent mode and an opaque mode, wherein the display unit includes a transparent display panel exposed at a front surface of the main body, a first light source disposed behind the transparent display panel, a transparency adjusting unit disposed behind the first light source, and a second light source disposed behind the transparency adjusting unit.

Claims

1. A display apparatus, comprising:

a main body; and

a display unit coupled to the main body and configured to implement at least one of a transparent mode and an opaque mode,

wherein the display unit includes a transparent display panel exposed at a front surface of the main body, a first light source disposed behind the transparent display panel, a transparency adjusting unit disposed behind the first light source, and a second light source disposed behind the transparency adjusting unit.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the opaque mode is a mode that is implemented such that an object accommodated inside the main body is not visible through the display unit from the outside.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the transparency adjusting unit comprises a mesh-type structure.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein a first surface of the transparency adjusting unit comprises a white material such that light output from the first light source is reflected by the first surface.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the transparency adjusting unit absorbs light output from the second light source.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5,

wherein a second surface of the transparency adjusting unit comprises a black material such that light output from the second light source is absorbed by the second surface.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the first light source is disposed behind an edge of a rear surface of the transparent display panel.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the second light source is installed inside the main body.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the display unit further includes a communicating unit configured to receive data from the outside and a controller configured to perform signal processing of the received data and output a driving command corresponding to the signal processing.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9,

wherein the controller is further configured to output a driving command for turning the first light source off and turning the second light source on such that a transparent image is displayed on the transparent display panel according to the signal processing.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9,

wherein the controller outputs a driving command for turning the first light source on and turning the second light source off such that an opaque image is displayed on the transparent display panel according to the signal processing.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9,

wherein the controller is further configured to seta transparency of the transparent display panel to one of a high, a medium, or a low transparency according to the signal processing.

13. The apparatus according to claim 9,

wherein, in response to a transparency of the transparent display panel being set to a high transparency according to the signal processing, the controller is further configured to output a driving command for turning the first light source off and turning the second light source on.

14. The apparatus according to claim 9,

wherein, in response to a transparency of the transparent display panel being set to a medium transparency according to the signal processing, the controller is further configured to output a driving command for turning the first light source and the second light source on.

15. The apparatus according to claim 9,

wherein, in response to a transparency of the transparent display panel being set to low a low transparency according to the signal processing, the controller is further configured to output a driving command for turning the first light source on and the second light source off.

16. A display apparatus comprising:

a display panel having a variable transparency, comprising;

a transparent display panel having a front side display surface configured to display an image and a rear side surface opposite to the front side display surface;

a mesh panel disposed behind the rear side surface of the transparent display panel comprising;

a front side surface facing the rear side surface of the transparent display and having a surface for reflecting light; and

a rear side surface opposite to the front side surface and having

a surface for absorbing light;

a first light disposed in an area between the rear surface of the transparent panel and the front side surface of the mesh panel;

a second light disposed in an area behind the rear side surface of the mesh panel; and

a controller configured to vary the transparency of the display panel by controlling the first light source and the second light source.

17. The display apparatus of claim 16,

wherein the controller is further configured to vary the transparency of the display panel between opaque and transparent,

wherein when the first light is off and the second light is on, the display panel appears transparent, and

wherein when the first light is on and the second light is off, the display panel appears opaque

18. The display apparatus of claim 16,

wherein the front side surface of the mesh panel is white, and

wherein the rear side surface of the mesh panel is black.

19. The display apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a main body,

wherein the display panel is configured to form a portion of a surface of the main body.

20. The display apparatus of claim 19, wherein the main body comprises one of a showcase, a refrigerator, an oven, and a microwave.