System and method for optimizing warm-up time on large format displays

A system for optimizing warm-up time of a display device may include a display device including a display substrate configured to display at least one image, the display substrate including a first display zone and at least one additional display zone. The display device may further include one or more heating layers including a first heating layer portion and at least one additional heating layer portion. The system may further include a controller configured to: generate a first electrical current within the first heating layer portion in order to increase a temperature of the first display zone of the display substrate; and generate at least one additional electrical current within the at least one additional heating layer portion in order to increase a temperature of the at least one additional display zone of the display substrate.

BACKGROUND

Many display devices require lengthy warm-up time requirements in order for the display devices to reach adequate operating temperatures. Required warm-up times may be lengthened when the display devices are to be operated in cold environments. For example, liquid crystal display (LCD) devices may require lengthy warm-up times when started from a cold state in order to reach sufficient operating temperatures required for the LCD device to produce sufficient ranges of colors, contrasts, and luminance levels.

Next-generation aircraft are being fitted with large-format display devices (e.g., large-format LCD devices). In the context of aviation, performance issues associated with lengthy warm-up times for display devices may pose a danger to both the aircraft and passengers/personnel aboard the aircraft. In particular, aircraft personnel have a need for display devices to be fully functional within minutes of power being provided to the display device. For example, warning signals indicative of a dangerous engine condition (e.g., overheating engine temperature) may be displayed in bright red on a display device within the aircraft cockpit. With lengthy warm-up times, the display device may not be able to reach an operating temperature capable of effectively displaying the bright red warning to aircraft personnel before an engine failure may be avoided. By the time the display device has warmed up sufficiently to effectively display the warning signals, the dangerous engine condition associated with the warning signals may be irreversible, potentially damaging the aircraft engine and endangering aircraft personnel and passengers.

Previous techniques used to improve warm-up time of display devices (e.g., LCD devices) have utilized heating layers used to warm-up display substrates of the display devices. However, previous techniques used to improve warm-up times are expensive and unable to match the scale of increasingly large displays. In particular, as the size of aircraft cockpit display devices continue to increase, the amount of power consumption required with previous techniques must scale accordingly. This increased power consumption increases heater size and cost, and oftentimes exceeds the available power of the aircraft. Thus, previous display heating techniques are unbale to be utilized with growing aircraft display devices.

Therefore, there exists a need for a system and method which cure one or more of the shortcomings identified above.

SUMMARY

A system for optimizing warm-up time of a display device is disclosed. In embodiments, the system includes a display device. The display device may include a display substrate configured to display at least one image on a front surface of the display substrate, the display substrate including a first display zone and at least one additional display zone. The display device may further include one or more heating layers coupled to a rear surface of the display substrate, the one or more heating layers including a first heating layer portion and at least one additional heating layer portion. The system may further include a controller communicatively coupled to the heating layer via one or more electrical couplings. The controller may be configured to: generate one or more control signals configured to generate a first electrical current within the first heating layer portion in order to increase a temperature of the first display zone of the display substrate; and generate one or more control signals configured to generate at least one additional electrical current within the at least one additional heating layer portion in order to increase a temperature of the at least one additional display zone of the display substrate.

In some embodiments, of the system, the controller is further configured to receive a display warm-up request at a first time, and generate the one or more control signals configured to generate the first electrical current at the first time in response to the display warm-up request.

In some embodiments, of the system, the controller is further configured to determine the temperature of the first display zone exceeds a temperature threshold at a second time subsequent to the first time, generate the one or more control signals configured to generate the second electrical current at the second time, and generate one or more control signals configured to terminate the first electrical current at the second time.

In some embodiments, of the system, the at least one additional display zone includes a second display zone and a third display zone, and the least one additional heating layer portion includes a second heating layer portion coupled to the rear surface of the display substrate proximate to the second display zone, and a third heating layer portion coupled to the rear surface of the display substrate proximate to the third display zone.

In some embodiments, of the system, generating one or more control signals configured to generate at least one additional electrical current within the at least one additional heating layer portion in order to increase a temperature of the at least one additional display zone of the display substrate includes generating one or more control signals configured to generate a second electrical current within the second heating layer portion in order to increase a temperature of the second display zone of the display substrate, and generating one or more control signals configured to generate a third electrical current within the third heating layer portion in order to increase a temperature of the third display zone of the display substrate.

In some embodiments, of the system, the one or more electrical couplings include a first set of one or more electrical couplings configured to electrically couple the controller to the first heating layer portion, and at least one additional set of one or more electrical couplings configured to electrically couple the controller to the at least one additional heating layer portion.

In some embodiments, of the system, the first set of one or more electrical couplings includes a first sub-set of one or more electrical couplings coupled to the first heating layer along a first edge of the heating layer, and a second sub-set of one or more electrical couplings coupled to the first heating layer along a second edge of the heating layer opposite the first edge.

In some embodiments, of the system, the display device is disposed within a cockpit of an aircraft.

In some embodiments, of the system, the first heating layer portion and the at least one additional heating layer portion are electrically isolated from one another.

In some embodiments, of the system, the display device is disposed within a cockpit of an aircraft.

In some embodiments, of the system, at least one of the first heating layer or the at least one additional heating layer includes an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer.

In some embodiments, of the system, the one or more electrical couplings include at least one of a metalized strip or a flexible circuit.

In some embodiments, of the system, the display substrate includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) substrate, and the display device further includes a backlight coupled to the one or more heating layers, wherein the one or more heating layers are disposed between the display substrate and the backlight.

In some embodiments, of the system, the first display zone includes engine-indicating and crew-alerting (EICAS) information.

A system for optimizing warm-up time of a display device is disclosed. In embodiments, the system includes one or more heating layers coupled to a surface of a display substrate of a display device, the one or more heating layers including a first heating layer portion and at least one additional heating layer portion. In embodiments, the system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the first heating layer portion and the second heating layer portion, the controller configured to: generate one or more control signals configured to generate a first electrical current within the first heating layer portion in order to increase a temperature of a first display zone of the display substrate; and generate one or more control signals configured to generate at least one additional electrical current within the at least one additional heating layer portion in order to increase a temperature of at least one additional display zone of the display substrate.

This Summary is provided solely as an introduction to subject matter that is fully described in the Detailed Description and Drawings. The Summary should not be considered to describe essential features nor be used to determine the scope of the Claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description are provided for example and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the subject matter claimed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Many display devices require lengthy warm-up time requirements in order for the display devices to reach adequate operating temperatures. Required warm-up times may be lengthened when the display devices are to be operated in cold environments. For example, liquid crystal display (LCD) devices may require lengthy warm-up times in order to reach sufficient operating temperatures required for the LCD device to produce the range of colors, contrasts, and luminance levels which are expected.

Next-generation aircraft are being fitted with large-format display devices (e.g., large-format LCD devices). In the context of aviation, performance issues associated with lengthy warm-up times for display devices may pose a danger to both the aircraft and passengers/personnel aboard the aircraft. In particular, aircraft personnel have a need for display devices to be fully functional within minutes of power being provided to the display device. For example, warning signals indicative of a dangerous engine condition (e.g., overheating engine temperature) may be displayed in bright red on a display device within the aircraft cockpit. With lengthy warm-up times, the display device may not be able to reach an operating temperature capable of effectively displaying the bright red warning to aircraft personnel before an engine failure may be avoided. By the time the display device has warmed up sufficiently to effectively display the warning signals, the dangerous engine condition associated with the warning signals may be irreversible, potentially damaging the aircraft engine and endangering aircraft personnel and passengers.

Previous techniques used to improve warm-up time of display devices (e.g., LCD devices) have utilized heating layers used to warm-up display substrates of the display devices. However, previous techniques used to improve warm-up times are expensive and unable to match the scale of increasingly large displays. In particular, as the size of aircraft cockpit display devices continues to increase, the amount of power consumption required with previous techniques must scale accordingly. This increased power consumption increases heater size and cost, and oftentimes exceeds the available power of the aircraft. Thus, previous display heating techniques are unbale to be utilized with growing aircraft display devices.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a warm-up system and method for curing one or more of the shortfalls of the previous approaches identified above. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a warm-up system including a display device including one or more heating layers configured to warm up selected zones of a display substrate of the display device. In particular, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to heating layers of a display device which are configured to warm up selected/localized zones of a display substrate which include critical aircraft information prior to warming up additional zones of the display substrate.

It is contemplated herein that embodiments of the present disclosure may improve warm-up times of display devices. Attendant advantages of the present disclosure may be particularly important in the context of aircraft display devices, and when operating display devices in cold environments. It is further contemplated herein that embodiments of the present disclosure may provide for the heating of large-format display devices in localized regions which meets performance requirements while limiting the power consumption, size, and/or cost for display device warm-up systems. Accordingly, it is contemplated herein that embodiments of the present disclosure may enable display device warm-up systems to be implemented in ever-growing aircraft display devices.

FIG. 1illustrates an aircraft environment100in which a warm-up system for optimizing warm-up time of a display device may be implemented, in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure.

In embodiments, the aircraft environment100includes one or more display devices101which may be employed to present aircraft performance parameters (e.g., engine-indicating and crew-alerting (EICAS) information), aircraft performance parameter predictions, sensor readings, electronic maps, aircraft data, communications, alerts, and so forth. The aircraft environment100inFIG. 1is shown to include multi-function displays (e.g., display device101a,101b) and flight displays (e.g., display device101c,101d) which are viewable by one or more flight crew members (e.g., pilots). The aircraft environment100illustrated inFIG. 1illustrates an example embodiment. However, in other embodiments, the aircraft100environment can include any number of mechanical input devices and/or display devices.

Although example embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described in an aircraft environment/cockpit (e.g., aircraft environment100), the inventive concepts of the present disclosure may be configured to improve warm-up times of any display device known in the art. For example, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be incorporated into display devices of any air, land, or water-based personal equipment or vehicle, commercial equipment or vehicle, military equipment or vehicle, and the like. For instance, embodiments of the present disclosure may be incorporated into the display device of an automobile, an aquatic vehicle, a spacecraft, and the like. In the interest of simplicity and to most clearly define the inventive concepts of the present disclosure, embodiments may be described throughout the present disclosure in an aircraft environment. However, these references are not to be regarded as limiting. Thus, references to “aircraft,” “aviation,” “avionics,” and like terms should not be interpreted as a limitation on the present disclosure, unless noted otherwise herein.

It is further noted herein that, where the environment includes an aircraft environment, the system and method for display device warm-up time improvement may be configured in accordance with avionics guidelines and/or standards put forth by, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) or any other flight certification agency or organization; the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC), or any other standards setting organization or company; the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) or any other guidelines agency or organization; or the like.

FIGS. 2A-2Billustrate a display device201aincluding a display substrate202and a heating layer204.FIG. 2Billustrates the display device201bincluding a large-format display substrate202and a heating layer204. In particular, the display device201a,201bdepicted inFIGS. 2A-2Bis shown as an example display device implementing traditional techniques to improve warm-up time of the display substrate202. It is contemplated herein that a brief description of the display device201a,201bmay provide a reference point against which attendant advantages of the present disclosure may be compared.

As noted previously herein, LCD devices typically exhibit long warm-up times when started/initialized from a cold state, and may therefore benefit from warm-up systems designed to shorten required warm-up times. In this regard, the display device201a,201billustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2Bmay include, but is not limited to, an LCD device. A display device201a,201bimplementing traditional heating techniques may include a display substrate202and a heating layer204. The display substrate202may be configured to generate/display images on a front surface of the display substrate202to a viewer. For example, the display substrate202may be configured to display aircraft sensor readings to a pilot within an aircraft environment. The heating layer204may be coupled to a rear surface of the display substrate202such that the heating layer204covers all of the rear surface of the display substrate202, as shown inFIGS. 2A-2B.

The heating layer204may include one or more low-impedance connection points electrically coupled to a power source. For example, the heating layer204may include a first connection point (e.g., first electrical coupling206a) disposed on an upper edge of the heating layer204, and a second connection point (e.g., second electrical coupling206b) disposed on a lower edge of the heating layer204. When the display device201a,201bis to be activated, an electrical current may be passed through the heating layer204in order to heat the heating layer204and the display substrate202. For example, an electrical current may be passed through the heating layer204from the first electrical coupling206ato the second electrical coupling206bsuch that the electrical current flows “downwards” through the heating layer204.

The display devices201a,201billustrated inFIGS. 2A-2Btypically require approximately 2 Watts/in2to effectively warm-up the display substrate202. These power requirements make the implementation of heating layers204in smaller-format display devices201a,201brelatively straightforward. For example, in the smaller-format display device201a, the power consumption of the heating layer204is relatively low to moderate, which supports the implementation of low cost, low power consumption power supplies.

However, as the size of the display device increases, the amount of power consumption must scale accordingly, thereby increasing size, cost, and power consumption of the power supply required to achieve the same warm-up requirement. With large-format displays, the power consumption required by the heating layer204may exceed the available power of the aircraft.

For example,FIG. 2Billustrates a display device201bincluding a large-format display substrate202. Next generation aircraft are now being fitted with large-format LCD devices, some with display areas (e.g., area of display substrate202) of 8″×20″ or larger. As noted previously herein, the issue with large-format displays (e.g., display device201billustrated inFIG. 2B) is that the power consumption required to heat the heating layer204and display substrate202is often higher than the available power on the aircraft. For retrofit aircraft, the power available to heat the display device201bmay be approximately 200 Watts, which is adequate for display devices201bup to only 10″×10″ in size based on the 2 Watts/in2power estimation (e.g., 10 in*10 in=100 in2*2 Watts/in2=200 Watts). Accordingly, any displays larger than 10″×10″ in size may require higher power levels than may be available on the aircraft.

For example, the large-format display device201bmay exhibit a size of approximately 8″×20″, which is consistent with the size of some large-format display devices currently being installed within next generation aircraft. Using traditional heating techniques, the large-format display device201billustrated inFIG. 2Bmay require approximately 320 Watts of power (e.g., 8 in*20 in=160 in2*2 Watts/in2=320 Watts). Assuming an aircraft power budget of 200 Watts, this represents 60% more than the available power budget of the aircraft, and would therefore take approximately 60% longer for the large-format display device201bto warm-up to operational temperature. In the context of aviation, these increased warm-up times may be unacceptable, as aircraft personnel typically require display devices201bto be fully functional within minutes after application of power in order to monitor engine status during cold start conditions.

While the power budget allocated to display device warm-up may be increased to account for larger format display devices201b, this is undesirable, as it may increase the overall power requirements of the aircraft and/or reduce the power budget for other aircraft systems. Additionally, even if the power budget allocated to display device warm-up were to be increased, this would require larger, heavier, and more numerous cables/connections running to the display device201, which further complicates and adds unnecessary weight to the aircraft.

Accordingly, previous heating techniques are ill-suited for large-format displays, and are largely unable to scale alongside growing aircraft display devices. In this regard, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a warm-up system and method which cure one or more of the shortfalls of previous approaches identified above.

FIG. 3Aillustrates a simplified block diagram of a warm-up system300for optimizing warm-up time of a display device301, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The warm-up system300may include, but is not limited to, a display device301, a display substrate302, a controller304, one or more processors306, and a memory308. In embodiments, the warm-up system300may further include a user interface310.

The display device301may include any display device including a display substrate302known in the art. For example, in embodiments, the display device301may include, but is not limited to, a head-up display (HUD), a head-mounted display (HMD) a vehicle-mounted display (e.g., aircraft cockpit display device101illustrated inFIG. 1), a mobile device display (e.g., smart phone display, handheld display, smart watch display, and the like). In this regard, while much of the present disclosure is directed to a warm-up system300in the context of an aircraft environment100(e.g., aircraft cockpit display, HUD, HMD, and the like), it is contemplated herein that embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to display devices301in contexts other than an aircraft environment100.

In embodiments, the display substrate302is configured to display one or more images to a viewer (e.g., aircraft pilot, aircraft personnel). For example, the display substrate302may be configured to display one or more images on a front surface of the display substrate302. The display substrate302may include any display substrate known in the art including, but not limited to, liquid crystal display (LCD) substrates, emissive pixelated display substrates (e.g., OLEDs), and the like.

In embodiments, the display substrate302may include one or more display zones312. In this regard, the display substrate302may be divided up into multiple display zones312. For example, as shown inFIG. 3A, the display substrate302may include a first display zone312a, and a second display zone312b. The display substrate302may include any number of display zones312. For example, as shown inFIG. 3B, the display substrate302may include a first display zone312a, a second display zone312b, and a third display zone312c.

It is contemplated herein that the display substrate302may be partitioned, divided, and/or arranged into any number of display zones312. For example, the display zones312a-312cillustrated inFIGS. 3A-3Care shown in a vertical orientation within the display substrate302. In additional and/or alternative embodiments, display zones312a-312cmay be arranged in a horizontal orientation within the display substrate302. In this regard, the display substrate302may exhibit any array of display zones312known in the art.

Furthermore, while the display substrates302illustrated inFIGS. 3A-3Billustrate a display substrate302with a single image area divided into display zones312, this is not to be regarded as a limitation of the present disclosure, unless noted otherwise herein. In this regard, the display substrate302may considered to be divided into multiple image areas. This may be further understood with reference toFIG. 3C.

FIG. 3Cillustrates a simplified block diagram of a warm-up system300for optimizing warm-up time of a display device301, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 3C, the display substrate302may be exhibit multiple separate image areas such that a first image area includes the first display zone312a, and a second image area includes the second display zone312b.

By dividing the display substrate302up into various display zones312, the warm-up system300may be configured to heat the display substrate302in localized zones/areas (e.g., display zones312) in order to allow critical areas of the display substrate302to be heated to operational temperature prior to less critical areas. It is contemplated herein that heating various display zones312of the display substrate302in a selected, sequential manner may enable the warm-up system300to decrease warm-up times for critical information on large format displays, while complying with available power budgets of the aircraft. This will be described in further detail herein.

In embodiments, the display device301and/or the display substrate302may be communicatively coupled to a controller304. The display device301and the display substrate302may be communicatively coupled to the controller304using any wireline or wireless communication technique known in the art. The controller304may include a one or more processors306and a memory308. Warm-up system300may further include a user interface310communicatively coupled to the controller304, wherein the user interface310is configured to display information of warm-up system300to a user and/or receive one or more input commands from a user configured to adjust one or more characteristics of warm-up system300. In the context of the aircraft environment100, the user interface310may include any user interface within the aircraft cockpit configured to display aircraft information to a pilot and/or receive control commands from the pilot.

It is noted herein that the one or more components of warm-up system300may be communicatively coupled to the various other components of warm-up system300in any manner known in the art. For example, the display substrate302, the controller304, the one or more processors306, the memory308, and the user interface310may be communicatively coupled to each other and other components via a wireline (e.g., copper wire, fiber optic cable, and the like) or wireless connection (e.g., RF coupling, IR coupling, WiFi, WiMax, Bluetooth, 3G, 4G, 4G LTE, 5G, and the like).

In one embodiment, the one or more processors306may include any one or more processing elements known in the art. In this sense, the one or more processors108may include any microprocessor-type device configured to execute software algorithms and/or instructions. In one embodiment, the one or more processors306may consist of a desktop computer, mainframe computer system, workstation, image computer, parallel processor, or other computer system (e.g., networked computer) configured to execute a program configured to operate the warm-up system300, as described throughout the present disclosure. It should be recognized that the steps described throughout the present disclosure may be carried out by a single computer system or, alternatively, multiple computer systems. In general, the term “processor” may be broadly defined to encompass any device having one or more processing elements, which execute program instructions from memory308. Moreover, different subsystems of the warm-up system300(e.g., display device301, controller304, user interface310) may include one or more processor or logic elements suitable for carrying out at least a portion of the steps described throughout the present disclosure. Therefore, the above description should not be interpreted as a limitation on the present disclosure but merely an illustration.

The memory308may include any storage medium known in the art suitable for storing program instructions executable by the associated one or more processors306. For example, the memory308may include a non-transitory memory medium. For instance, the memory308may include, but is not limited to, a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a magnetic or optical memory device (e.g., disk), a magnetic tape, a solid-state drive and the like. It is further noted that memory308may be housed in a common controller housing with the one or more processors306. In an alternative embodiment, the memory308may be located remotely with respect to the physical location of the processors306and controller304. In another embodiment, the memory308maintains program instructions for causing the one or more processors306to carry out the various steps described through the present disclosure.

In another embodiment, the controller304is coupled to a user interface310. In another embodiment, the user interface310includes a display and/or a user input device. For example, the display may be coupled to the user input device by a transmission medium that may include wireline and/or wireless portions. The display device of the user interface310may include any display device known in the art. The display device of the user interface310may include the display device301or additional and/or alternative display devices. For example, the display device may include, but is not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) based display, a CRT display, and the like. Those skilled in the art should recognize that a variety of display devices may be suitable for implementation in the present invention and the particular choice of display device may depend on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, form factor, cost, and the like. In a general sense, any display device capable of integration with a user input device (e.g., touchscreen, bezel mounted interface, keyboard, mouse, trackpad, and the like) is suitable for implementation in the present invention.

The user input device of the user interface310may include any user input device known in the art. For example, the user input device may include, but is not limited to, a keyboard, a keypad, a touchscreen, a lever, a knob, a scroll wheel, a track ball, a switch, a dial, a sliding bar, a scroll bar, a slide, a handle, a touch pad, a paddle, a steering wheel, a joystick, a bezel input device, or the like. In the case of a touchscreen interface, those skilled in the art should recognize that a large number of touchscreen interfaces may be suitable for implementation in the present invention. For instance, the display device may be integrated with a touchscreen interface, such as, but not limited to, a capacitive touchscreen, a resistive touchscreen, a surface acoustic based touchscreen, an infrared based touchscreen, or the like. In a general sense, any touchscreen interface capable of integration with the display portion of a display device is suitable for implementation in the present invention. In another embodiment, the user input device may include, but is not limited to, a bezel mounted interface.

Attendant advantages of the warm-up system300of the present disclosure may be further illustrated with reference toFIGS. 4-6.

FIG. 4illustrates an exploded view of a display device301, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The display device301may include, but is not limited to, a display substrate302including two or more display zones312a,312b, an optical coupling lamination layer316, and one or more heating layers318. In additional and/or alternative embodiments, the display device301may include a backlight322.

As noted previously herein, the display substrate302may be configured to display at least one image on a front surface of the display substrate302. Additionally, the display substrate302may include any display substrate known in the art including, but not limited to, an LCD substrate. In embodiments, the display substrate302may include multiple display zones312. For example, as shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 3A, the display substrate302may include a first display zone312aand a second display zone312boriented vertically within the display substrate302.

In embodiments, the display substrate302may include one or more communicative couplings314configured to communicatively couple the display substrate302to the controller304. In this regard, the controller304may be configured to generate one or more control signals configured to adjust one or more characteristics of the display substrate302. For example, in the context of a pixelated LCD substrate (display substrate302), the controller304may be configured to control currents/voltages applied to pixels of the LCD substrate in order to adjust characteristics of the images displayed on the front surface (“left” surface shown inFIG. 4) of the display substrate302. The communicative couplings314may include any communicative couplings known in the art including, but not limited to, metallized stirps, flexible circuits, copper pads, and the like.

The display device301may further include one or more optical coupling lamination layers316configured to couple the one or more heating layers318to the display substrate302. For example, as shown inFIG. 4, the display device301may include an optical coupling lamination layer316configured to couple the heating layer318to the rear surface of the display substrate302. In some embodiments, the one or more optical coupling lamination layers316may be fabricated from a conductive material configured to transfer heat from the one or more heating layers318to the display substrate302. It is noted herein that the one or more optical coupling lamination layers316may include any layers known in the art configured to couple various layers of a display device301.

In some embodiments, the one or more heating layers318and/or the one or more optical coupling lamination layers316may be transparent, or substantially transparent. It is noted herein that transparent heating layers318and/or optical coupling lamination layers316may reduce optical aberrations and improve optical quality of the display device301. For example, in the context of LCD substrate (display substrate302), a backlight322may be configured to generate light/illumination such that the LCD substrate (display substrate302) transmits light generated by the backlight322through the LCD substrate in order to generate images on the front surface of the LCD substrate (display substrate302). In this example, transparent and/or substantially transparent hating layers318and/or optical coupling lamination layers316may improve transmission of light from the backlight322to the LCD substrate, thereby improving the luminance level of the LCD substrate and reducing the power requirements for the display device301. In embodiments, the backlight322may be communicatively coupled to the controller304. In this regard, the controller304may be configured to generate one or more control signals configured to adjust one or more characteristics of the backlight322(e.g., luminance level, and the like).

In embodiments, a single heating layer318may include one or more heating layer portions319a,319b. For example, as shown inFIG. 4, a single heating layer318may include a first heating layer portion319aand a second heating layer portion319b. In embodiments, each respective heating layer portion319a,319bis configured to be coupled to the display substrate302such that it is proximate to each respective display zone312a,312b. For example, the heating layer318may be coupled to the display substrate302such that the first heating layer portion319ais proximate to the first display zone312a, and the second heating layer portion319bis proximate to the second display zone312b.

As will be discussed in further detail herein, by generating an electric current within the first heating layer portion319a, the controller304may be configured to warm-up the first heating layer portion319a, and thereby warm-up the first display zone312a. Similarly, by generating an electric current within the second heating layer portion319b, the controller304may be configured to warm-up the second heating layer portion319b, and thereby warm-up the second display zone312b. In this regard, the one or more heating layers318illustrated inFIG. 4may be configured to warm-up various display zones312of the display substrate302from the rear side of the display substrate302.

WhileFIG. 4illustrates heating layers318disposed between the display substrate302and the backlight322, this is not to be regarded as a limitation of the present disclosure, unless noted otherwise herein. In this regard, the display device301may additionally and/or alternatively include one or more heating layers318coupled to the front surface of the display substrate302. For example, the display device301may include a first heating layer318coupled to the front surface of the display substrate302in order to warm-up the display substrate302from the front surface, and second heating layer318coupled to the rear surface of the display substrate302in order to warm-up the display substrate302from the rear surface.

In embodiments, the one or more heating layers318may include one or more electrical couplings320configured to electrically couple the one or more heating layers318to the controller304. The one or more electrical couplings320may include any electrical couplings known in the art including, but not limited to, metallized strips, flexible circuits, copper pads, anisotropic conductive film (ACF) bonds, and the like. During start-up, electrical currents may be passed through the one or more heating layers318, via the electrical couplings320, in order to heat up selected heating layer portions319a,319bof the heating layer318, and therefore warm-up selected display zones312a,312bof the display substrate302.

The one or more heating layers318may include any heating layers known in the art configured to transfer heat to the display substrate302. Thus, the one or more heating layers318may be formed from a conductive material or substance. For example, the one or more heating layers318may include indium tin oxide (ITO) layers. For instance, the one or more heating layers318may include a glass layer coated with a thin layer of ITO. By way of another example, the one or more heating layers318may include a micro mesh film layer formed with a conductive metal material.

Operation of the one or more heating layers318may be further understood with reference toFIG. 5AandFIG. 5B.

FIG. 5Aillustrates a simplified view of a heating layer318of a display device301, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

The heating layer318may include multiple heating layer portions319a,319b. As noted previously herein, the heating layer318may include multiple heating layer portions319a,319bsuch that each display zone312a,312bof the display substrate302corresponds to a respective heating layer portion319a,319bof the heating layer318. In this regard, each heating layer portion319may exhibit approximately the same size and/or shape as the respective display zone312.

For example, as shown inFIGS. 3A-3BandFIG. 4, a display substrate302may include a first display zone312aand a second display zone312b, wherein each of the first display zone312aand a second display zone312bmake up approximately half of the display substrate302. In this example, as shown inFIG. 5A, the heating layer318may include a first heating layer portion319acoupled and/or corresponding to the first display zone312a, and a second heating layer portion319bcoupled and/or corresponding to the second display zone312b.

By way of another example, as shown inFIG. 3B, a display substrate302may include a first display zone312a, a second display zone312b, and a third display zone312c. In this example, a heating layer318may include a first heating layer portion319acoupled and/or corresponding to the first display zone312a, and a second heating layer portion319bcoupled and/or corresponding to the second display zone312b, and a third heating layer portion319c(not shown) coupled and/or corresponding to the third display zone312c. It is noted herein that the various display zones312, and therefore the various heating layer portions319, may exhibit any shape or size known in the art, and need not be equivalent in size to one another.

Reference will again be made toFIG. 5A. In embodiments, the heating layer318may further include one or more electrical couplings320configured to electrically/communicatively couple the heating layer318to the controller304. For example, as shown inFIG. 5A, the heating layer318may include a first set of one or more electrical couplings320coupled to the heating layer318along an upper edge of the heating layer318, and a second set of one or more electrical couplings320coupled to the heating layer318along a lower edge of the heating layer318.

Further, the one or more electrical couplings320may include sub-sets of electrical couplings321coupled to each respective heating layer portion319. For example, as shown inFIG. 5A, the first heating layer portion319amay include a first sub-set of one or more electrical couplings321acoupled to the first heating layer portion319aalong an upper edge of the first heating layer portion319a, and a second sub-set of one or more electrical couplings321bcoupled to the first heating layer portion319aalong a lower edge of the first heating layer portion319a. Conversely, the second heating layer portion319bmay include a first sub-set of one or more electrical couplings321ccoupled to the second heating layer portion319balong an upper edge of the second heating layer portion319b, and a second sub-set of one or more electrical couplings321ccoupled to the second heating layer portion319balong a lower edge of the second heating layer portion319b.

In embodiments, each of the electrical couplings320and/or sub-sets of electrical couplings321may be disposed across each of the respective upper and lower edges of each heating layer portion319so as to ensure a uniform current density across the heating layer portion319. For example, as showingFIG. 5A, the first sub-set of one or more electrical couplings321amay be coupled to the first heating layer portion319aacross the entirety of the upper edge of the first heating layer portion319a, and the second sub-set of one or more electrical couplings321bmay be coupled to the first heating layer portion319aalong the entirety of the lower edge of the first heating layer portion319a. In this example, it is contemplated herein that disposing the first sub-set of electrical couplings321aacross the length of the upper edge, and the second sub-set of electrical couplings321bacross the length of the lower edge, the heating layer portion319amay warm-up uniformly, and thereby uniformly heat the first display zone312.

While the electrical couplings320and sub-sets of electrical coupling321are shown and described as being disposed along upper and lower edge of the heating layer318, this is not to be regarded as a limitation of the present disclosure, unless noted otherwise herein. In this regard, the one or more electrical couplings320may be coupled to the heating layer318in any configuration known in the art. For example, in embodiments where display zones312and heating layer portions319are arranged horizontally across the display device301, the electrical couplings320and sub-sets of electrical couplings321may be coupled to the respective heating layer portions319along a first “left” edge and a second “right” edge opposite the first edge of each heating layer portion319.

FIG. 5Billustrates a simplified view of a heating layer318of a display device301, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted herein that any discussion associated with the heating layer318illustrated inFIG. 5Amay be regarded as applying to the heating layer318illustrated inFIG. 5B, unless noted otherwise herein. Conversely, any discussion associated with the heating layer318illustrated inFIG. 5Bmay be regarded as applying to the heating layer318illustrated inFIG. 5A, unless noted otherwise herein.

In some embodiments, the heating layer portions319a,319bmay be electrically and/or physically separated such that each respective heating layer portion319a,319bis electrically isolated from one another. It is noted herein that electrically isolating each heating layer portion319a,319bfrom one another may prevent electrical current “bleeding” between heating layer portions319a-319b, and may therefore allow for electrical currents generated within the heating layer portions319a-319bto be localized and maintained within the designated heating layer portion319a-319b. For example, as shown inFIG. 5B, the first heating layer portion319aand the second heating layer portion319bmay be separated by one or more spacers324. The spacers324may be configured to prevent electrical currents generated within one heating layer portion319from “bleeding” or otherwise passing to other heating layer portions319. The one or more spacers324configured to separate the heating layer portions319may include, but are not limited to, chemical etching of the conductive material, physical spaces or gaps, strips of non-conductive material, and the like.

As noted previously herein, the one or more processors306may be configured to execute the set of program instructions stored in memory308, the set of program instructions configured to cause the one or more processors306to carry out one or more steps of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the controller304may be configured to generate one or more control signals configured to warm up selected/localized zones of the heating layer318and display substrate302in a selective manner.

In embodiments, the controller304may be configured to generate one or more control signals configured to generate a first electrical current within the first heating layer portion319ain order to increase a temperature of the first display zone312aof the display substrate302. In particular, the controller304may be configured to increase the temperature of the first display zone312aby heating the first heating layer portion319ain response to an identified display warm-up request.

For example, as shown inFIG. 1andFIGS. 3A-3C, an aircraft pilot may start, engage, or otherwise activate the aircraft and/or the display device301of the aircraft via a user interface310. For instance, the aircraft pilot may engage a starter sub-system of the aircraft (e.g., user interface310) in preparation for a flight. The user interface310may then be configured to transmit a display warm-up request to the controller304, indicating that the display substrate302of the display device301is to be warmed up. Upon receiving the display warm-up request, the controller304may be configured to generate the one or more control signals configured to generate the first electrical current within the first heating layer portion319ain response to the display warm-up request.

By heating up the first heating layer portion319a, the controller304may thereby also heat up the first display zone312aof the display substrate302. Due to the fact that the power and heating capabilities of the warm-up system300are focused on only a portion of the display substrate302(e.g., first display zone312a), the first display zone312amay heat up faster than it would if the entire display substrate302were heated simultaneously.

In this regard, it is contemplated herein that the first display zone312aof the display substrate302may include the most important, critical data which is to be displayed on the display substrate302. The first display zone312amay additionally and/or alternatively include data/metrics which must be displayed and monitored by a user (e.g., aircraft pilot) first in time. In the context of aviation, data/metrics which are most critical and therefore which should be warmed-up first may include, but are not limited to, engine-indicating and crew-alerting (EICAS) information (e.g., engine revolutions per minute (RPM), engine temperature, fuel flow and quantity, oil pressure, hydraulic pressures).

The controller304may be configured to generate electrical currents within the heating layer portions319by generating a voltage difference between the electrical couplings320. For example, as shown inFIG. 5A, the controller304may generate a voltage difference of approximately 30V between the first sub-set of electrical couplings321aand the second set of electrical couplings321bsuch that an electrical current flows between the respective sub-sets of electrical couplings321a,321bin a substantially “vertical” direction. By way of another example, in embodiments where the sub-sets of electrical couplings321a,321bare coupled to the heating layer318along a first “left” edge and a second “right” edge, the electrical current may flow between the respective sub-sets of electrical couplings321ain a substantially “horizontal” direction.

In another embodiment, the controller304may be configured to warm-up additional display zones312b-312nonce the first display zone312ahas reached operating temperature. It is noted herein that the controller304may be configured to determine temperatures of each respective display zone312using any technique known in the art. For example, it is noted herein that impedance of an ITO layer (e.g., heating layer318) may change with changing temperature. In this example, the controller304may be configured to measure resistance values of the ITO layer with etched paths disposed within the display substrate302. By monitoring/measuring resistance values of the ITO layer within a particular display zone312, the controller304may be configured to determine a temperature of the particular display zone312based on the measured resistance values and the relationship between impedance/resistance and temperature. Thus, the controller304may determine the temperature of a display zone312based on measured impedance and/or resistance values of the display zone312.

An example may prove to be illustrative. In one example, the controller304may receive a display warm-up request at a first time, and may then generate one or more control signals configured to generate the first electrical current within the first heating layer portion319aat the first time in response to the display warm-up request. The electrical current may then warm-up the first heating layer portion319a, and thereby warm-up the first display zone312aof the display substrate302. The controller304may be configured to monitor the temperature of the first display zone312a. Subsequently, the controller304may be configured to determine the temperature of the first display zone312aexceeds a temperature threshold at a second time subsequent to the first time. For instance, the controller304may be configured to determine when the first display zone312areaches an operational temperature or other sufficient temperature (e.g., temperature threshold). Upon determining the first display zone312ahas been sufficiently heated, the controller304may be configured to generate one or more control signals configured to generate a second electrical current within the second heating layer portion319bat the second time. Accordingly, the controller304may be configured to begin warming up the second display zone312b(and/or additional display zones312c-312n) when the first display zone312ahas been sufficiently heated.

When heating the second display zone312b, the controller304may continue to heat the first display zone312a, or may cease to heat the first display zone312a. For example, upon identifying the first display zone312ais sufficiently heated, the controller304may be configured to generate the one or more control signals configured to terminate the first electrical current at the second time. In this example, the controller304may begin to heat the second display zone312bas well as terminate the heating of the first display zone312awhen it is determined the first display zone312ais sufficiently heated at the second time.

While the examples provided have been in the context of a display substrate302including two separate display zones312a,312band a heating layer318including two separate heating layer portions319a,319b, this is not to be regarded as a limitation of the present disclosure, unless noted otherwise herein. In this regard, the controller304may be configured to selectively heat any number of heating layer portions319a-319nand display zones312a-312n, as described previously herein.

FIG. 6illustrates flowchart of a method600for improving warm-up time of a display device301, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted herein that the steps of method600may be implemented all or in part by warm-up system300. It is further recognized, however, that the method600is not limited to the warm-up system300in that additional or alternative system-level embodiments may carry out all or part of the steps of method600.

In a step602, a display warm-up request is received at a first time. For example, an aircraft pilot may start, engage, or otherwise activate an aircraft and/or a display device301of the aircraft via a user interface310. The user interface310may then be configured to transmit a display warm-up request to the controller304, indicating that the display substrate302of the display device301is to be warmed up.

In a step604, a first electrical current is generated within a first heating layer portion at the first time in response to the display warm-up request. For example, upon receiving the display warm-up request, the controller304may be configured to generate the one or more control signals configured to generate the first electrical current within the first heating layer portion318ain response to the display warm-up request. By generating the first electrical current within the first heating layer portion319a, the controller304may be configured to warm-up the first heating layer portion319a, and thereby warm-up the first display zone312a.

In a step606, a temperature of a first display zone is determined to exceed a temperature threshold at a second time subsequent to the first time. For example, the controller304may be configured to determine the temperature of the first display zone312aexceeds a temperature threshold at a second time subsequent to the first time. For instance, the controller304may be configured to determine when the first display zone312areaches an operational temperature or other sufficient temperature (e.g., temperature threshold).

In a step608, an additional electrical current is generated within an additional heating layer portion at the second time. For example, upon determining the first display zone312ahas been sufficiently heated, the controller304may be configured to generate one or more control signals configured to generate a second electrical current within the second heating layer portion319bat the second time. Accordingly, the controller304may be configured to begin warming up the second display zone312b(and/or additional display zones312c-312n) when the first display zone312ahas been sufficiently heated.

In a step610, the first electrical current is terminated at the second time. For example, upon identifying the first display zone312ais sufficiently heated, the controller304may be configured to generate the one or more control signals configured to terminate the first electrical current at the second time. In this example, the controller304may begin to heat the second display zone312bas well as end the heating of the first display zone312awhen it is determined the first display zone312ais sufficiently heated at the second time.

In a step612, a temperature of an additional display zone is determined to exceed the temperature threshold at a third time subsequent to the second time. For example, the controller304may be configured to determine the temperature of the second display zone312bexceeds a temperature threshold at a third time subsequent to the second time. For instance, the controller304may be configured to determine when the second display zone312breaches an operational temperature or other sufficient temperature (e.g., temperature threshold).

In a step614, the additional electrical current is terminated at the third time. For example, upon identifying the second display zone312bis sufficiently heated, the controller304may be configured to generate the one or more control signals configured to terminate the second electrical current at the third time.