Display device

• US 8,363,178 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2007
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Chung, In Jae, Jeong, Ho Young
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, RICHARD H
• Application Number:
  US11/987,534
• Publication Number:
  US 20080201999A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,887 Days
• Field of Search: 349/58, 349/16, 349/61
• US Class Current: 349/58
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/04 Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/35 being liquid crystals G09F9/302 takes precedence; liquid crystal materials C09K19/00; liquid crystal panels comprising a number of electrodes in a single cell per se G02F1/13

Abstract

Provided is a display device that does not require a backlight unit coupled to a display panel. The display device displays an image using natural light by disposing a display panel on the window. An auxiliary light source can be disposed to complement a change of the natural light. The display device can further include a sensor for sensing a change of the natural light, and a controller for controlling the auxiliary light source in response to a signal sensed by the sensor to obtain constant brightness set to the display panel. Therefore, since the display device does not require a backlight unit and a driving circuit unit for driving the backlight unit, the display device has reduced power consumption, a slim and lightweight profile, and a simple structure. Also, the display device complements a change of the natural light using the auxiliary light source to obtain constant light intensity, so that image quality of the display panel can be enhanced.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising:

a window for transmitting first light generated from a natural light source, the window having a first side and a second side opposite the first side with the natural light source being disposed on a first side of the window; and

a display panel disposed on one of the first side and the second side of the window, the display panel comprising;

a first substrate contacting the window;

a second substrate attached onto the first substrate;

a display element on the first substrate;

a frame for enclosing edges of the first and second substrates; and

an auxiliary light source disposed in a vicinity of the window on the first side of the window to generate second light, wherein the light intensity of the auxiliary light source is controlled by user or system,

wherein the display panel displays an image to viewed on a second side of the window using the first and second light, and

wherein the frame includes a first frame enclosing the edge of the first substrate and a second frame enclosing the edge of the second substrate,

wherein the second frame is coupled to the first frame in a side of the display panel,

wherein the display panel includes means for fixing the display panel onto the window,

wherein the first frame is attached to the first side of the window by the means, and

wherein the window is a structure of a building installed for observing an object from one side to the other side, lighting, ventilation, and decoration of the building.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the means comprises an adhesive member.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the means comprises a fixing member.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the means is disposed between the frame and the window.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display panel is disposed on the window in any one of an outdoor direction and an indoor direction.

6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary light source is disposed on a surface of the window or separated from the window.

7. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a light blocking film on a portion of the window around the display panel.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second substrates comprises a flexible substrate.

9. A display device, comprising:

a window for transmitting first light generated from a natural light source, the window having a first side and a second side opposite the first side with the natural light source being disposed on a first side of the window;

a display panel disposed on one of the first side and the second side of the window;

an auxiliary light source disposed in a vicinity of the window on the first side of the window to generate second light, wherein the light intensity of the auxiliary light source is controlled by user or system;

at least one sensor for sensing the first and second light; and

a controller for controlling the auxiliary light source in response to a signal sensed by the sensor,

wherein the display panel displays an image to viewed on a second side of the window using the first and second,

wherein the display panel includes a first substrate contacting the window, a second substrate attached onto the first substrate, a display element on the first substrate; and

a frame for enclosing edges of the first and second substrates,

wherein the frame includes a first frame enclosing the edge of the first substrate and a second frame enclosing the edge of the second substrate,

wherein the second frame is coupled to the first frame in a side of the display panel,

wherein the display panel includes means for fixing the display panel onto the window,

wherein the first frame is attached to the first side of the window by the means,

wherein the window is a structure of a building installed for observing an object from one side to the other side, lighting, ventilation, and decoration of the building, and

wherein the sensor is disposed on one side portion of the first frame in a first side of the window.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein the means comprises an adhesive member.

11. The display device according to claim 9, wherein the means comprises a fixing member.

12. The display device according to claim 9, wherein the means is disposed between the frame and the window.

13. The display device according to claim 9, wherein the controller controls the auxiliary light source such that sum of light intensities of the first and second light matches with reference light intensity.

14. The display device according to claim 13, wherein the reference light intensity is light intensity for obtaining brightness set to the display panel.

15. The display device according to claim 9, wherein the display panel is disposed on the window in any one of an outdoor direction and an indoor direction.

16. The display device according to claim 9, wherein the auxiliary light source is disposed on a surface of the window or separated from the window.

17. The display device according to claim 9, further comprising a light blocking film on a portion of the window around the display panel.

18. The display device according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second substrates comprises a flexible substrate.

19. The display device according to claim 9, wherein the light intensity of the auxiliary light source is controlled to be set to different brightnesses.

20. The display device according to claim 9, wherein the light intensity of the auxiliary light source is controlled so that the total light intensity illuminated onto the display panel from the natural light source and the auxiliary light source is constant.