WO2023141046A1

WO2023141046A1 - Display module comprising circular polarizing layer

Info

Publication number: WO2023141046A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/010646
Authority: WO
Inventors: Byung Yun Joo; James Andrew West
Original assignee: Corning Inc
Current assignee: Corning Inc
Priority date: 2022-01-24
Filing date: 2023-01-12
Publication date: 2023-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2024-07-24
Also published as: TW202331364A

Abstract

Display modules comprising a circular polarizing layer for creating a color-match between a viewing area of an electronic display and a masking layer when the electronic display is powered off. The circular polarizing layer can be disposed between the masking layer and the electronic display. The circular polarizing layer can comprise a linear polarizer comprising a transmission axis offset from the transmission axis of a linear polarizer of the electronic display by an offset angle.

Description

DISPLAY MODULE COMPRISING CIRCULAR POLARIZING LAYER

PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/302340, filed on January 24, 2022, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to display modules for use in various industries, for example, consumer electronics, transportation, architecture, defense, medicine, and packaging. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to display modules designed with one or more circular polarizing layers for color-matching performance.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Devices with electronic displays are common across various industries, including the consumer electronics industry and the transportation industry. The devices generally include an electronic display (for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD)) protected by a cover glass layer. Consumers of these types of devices are often concerned with the appearance of the device and the ability to clearly view information displayed on the electronic display in various use cases.

[0004] Therefore, a continuing need exists for improvements in designing devices with electronic displays that are, among other things, aesthetically pleasing and easy to use in various use cases.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0005] A first aspect (1) of the present application is directed to a display module, comprising an electronic display comprising an active display layer and viewing area; a masking layer disposed over the electronic display, the masking layer comprising an opaque region and an opening, wherein the viewing area is visible through the opening; a cover glass disposed over the masking layer; and a circular polarizing layer disposed between the electronic display and the cover glass, wherein the circular polarizing layer overlaps the opaque region of the masking layer and the opening of the masking layer, and wherein the circular polarizing layer comprises a quarter-wave plate and a linear polarizer, and wherein the electronic display does not comprise a circular polarizing layer and the display module is devoid of a second circular polarizing layer disposed between the electronic display and the cover glass.

[0006] In a second aspect (2), the circular polarizing layer according to the first aspect (1) is attached to the cover glass with an optically clear resin.

[0007] In a third aspect (3), the display module according to the first aspect (1) or the second aspect (2) comprises an air gap located between the electronic display and the circular polarizing layer.

[0008] In a fourth aspect (4), the electronic display according to the third aspect (3) is located on a first side of the air gap and the circular polarizing layer and the masking layer are located on a second side of the air gap.

[0009] In a fifth aspect (5), the circular polarizing layer according to the third aspect (3) or the fourth aspect (4) is disposed between the airgap and the masking layer.

[0010] In a sixth aspect (6), the air gap according to any one of aspects (3) - (5) comprises a minimum lateral dimension of greater than or equal to 20 microns.

[0011] In a seventh aspect (7), the cover glass according to any one of aspects (1) - (6) comprises a curved region comprising a curved surface having a radius of curvature of less than or equal to 5000 mm.

[0012] In an eighth aspect (8), the circular polarizing layer according to the seventh aspect (7) is attached to the curved surface of the cover glass with an optically clear resin. [0013] In a ninth aspect (9), the circular polarizing layer according to the eighth aspect (8) comprises a curved region comprising a curved surface having a second radius of curvature of less than or equal to 5000 mm.

[0014] In a tenth aspect (10), in the display module according to any one of aspects (1) - (9), the viewing area comprises a first reflectivity when the display is powered off, the opaque region of the masking layer comprises a second reflectivity, and a color difference between the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity meets the following two requirements:

with being the color difference between the first reflectivity and the second

reflectivity with the specular component of the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity included, and with being the color difference between the first

reflectivity and the second reflectivity with the specular component of the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity excluded.

[0015] In an eleventh aspect (11 ), in the display module according to the tenth aspect

2.

[0016] In a twelfth aspect (12), the cover glass according to any one of aspects (1)-

(11) comprises an anti-reflection layer disposed on a surface of the cover glass.

[0017] In a thirteenth aspect (13), the masking layer according to any one of aspects (1) - (12) comprises a black color.

[0018] In a fourteenth aspect (14), in the display module according to any one of aspects (1) - (13), the electronic display comprises a first linear polarizer comprising a first transmission axis, and the linear polarizer of the circular polarizing layer comprises a second transmission axis offset from the first transmission axis by an offset angle.

[0019] In a fifteenth aspect (15), the offset angle according to the fourteenth aspect (14) ranges from 25 degrees to 65 degrees.

[0020] In a sixteenth aspect (16), the active display area according to any one of aspects (1) - (15) comprises: a liquid crystal layer, a light emitting diode (LED) array, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) array, a micro-LED array, or a micro-OLED array. [0021] In a seventeenth aspect (17), the cover glass according to any one of aspects (1) - (11) or (13) - (16) comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and an anti-reflection layer disposed on the first surface of the cover glass, and the circular polarizing layer is attached to the second surface of the cover glass.

[0022] An eighteenth aspect (18) of the present application is directed to a display module, comprising an electronic display comprising a viewing area and a first linear polarizer comprising a first transmission axis; a masking layer disposed over the electronic display, the masking layer comprising an opaque region and an opening, wherein the viewing area is visible through the opening; a circular polarizing layer disposed over and overlapping the opaque region of the masking layer and the opening of the masking layer, the circular polarizing layer comprising a quarter-wave plate and a second linear polarizer comprising a second transmission axis offset from the first transmission axis by an offset angle; and a cover glass disposed over the circular polarizing layer.

[0023] In a nineteenth aspect (19), the offset angle according to the eighteenth aspect (18) ranges from 25 degrees to 65 degrees.

[0024] In a twentieth aspect (20), the electronic display according to the eighteenth aspect (18) or the nineteenth aspect (19) comprises a liquid crystal display.

[0025] In a twenty -first aspect (21 ), the display module according to any one of aspects (18) - (20) comprises a touch screen panel disposed over the electronic display.

[0026] In a twenty-second aspect (22), the electronic display according to any one of aspects (18) - (21) comprises atop surface attached to a bottom surface of the circular polarizing lay er with an optically clear resin.

[0027] In a twenty -third aspect (23), in the display module according to any one of aspects (18) - (22), the viewing area comprises a first reflectivity when the electronic display is powered off, the opaque region of the masking layer comprises a second reflectivity, and a color difference between the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity meets the following two requirements:

with being the color difference between the first reflectivity and the second

[0028] In a twenty -fourth aspect (24), in the display module according to the twenty- third aspect (23),

[0029] In a twenty -fifth aspect (25), the cover glass according to any one of aspects (18) - (24) comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and an anti- reflection layer disposed on the first surface of the cover glass, and the circular polarizing layer is attached to the second surface of the cover glass. [0030] In a twenty-sixth aspect (26), the masking layer according to any one of aspects (18) - (25) comprises a black color.

[0031] In a twenty-seventh aspect (27), the masking layer according to any one of aspects (18) - (25) comprises a black ink.

[0032] In a twenty-eighth aspect (28), the electronic display according to any one of aspects (18) - (27) comprises a liquid crystal layer, the first linear polarizer is disposed over the liquid crystal layer, and the display module comprises a touch screen panel disposed over the first linear polarizer and attached to a surface of the first linear polarizer with an optically clear resin.

[0033] A twenty -ninth aspect (29) of the present application is directed to a display module, comprising an electronic display comprising a viewing area; a masking layer disposed over the electronic display, the masking layer comprising an opaque region and an opening, wherein the viewing area is visible through the opening; and a cover glass disposed over the masking layer, wherein: the viewing area comprises a first reflectivity when the display is powered off, the opaque region of the masking layer comprises a second reflectivity, and a color difference between the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity meets the following two requirements:

with being the color difference between the first reflectivity and the second

[0034] In a thirtieth aspect (30), in the display module according to the twenty -ninth aspect (29),

[0035] In a thirty -first aspect (31), the display module according to the twenty-ninth aspect (29) or the thirtieth aspect (30) comprises a circular polarizing layer disposed between the masking layer and the cover glass. [0036] In a thirty-second aspect (32), the circular polarizing layer according to the thirty -first aspect (31) is disposed over and overlaps the opaque region of the masking layer and the opening of the masking layer.

[0037] In a thirty -third aspect (33), the display module according to any one of aspects (29) - (32) comprises a touch screen panel disposed over the electronic display. [0038] In a thirty -fourth aspect (34), the electronic display according to any one of aspects (29) - (33) comprises a linear polarizer.

[0039] In a thirty -fifth aspect (35), the cover glass according to any one of aspects (29) - (34) comprises an anti -reflection layer disposed on a surface of the cover glass.

[0040] In a thirty-sixth aspect (36), the masking layer according to any one of aspects (29) - (35) comprises a black color.

[0041] A thirty -seventh aspect (37) of the present application is directed to a vehicle interior system comprising a rigid support structure; and the display module according to any one of aspects (1) - (17) attached to the rigid support structure.

[0042] A thirty -eighth aspect (38) of the present application is directed to a vehicle interior system comprising a rigid support structure; and the display module according to any one of aspects (18) - (29) attached to the rigid support structure.

[0043] A thirty -ninth aspect (39) of the present application is directed to a vehicle interior system comprising a rigid support structure; and the display module according to any one of aspects (29) - (36) attached to the rigid support structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA WINGS

[0044] The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure. Together with the description, the figures further serve to explain the principles of and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art(s) to make and use the disclosed embodiments. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the disclosure is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure to these particular embodiments. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a display module according to some embodiments.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of a display module according to some embodiments along the cross-section line X-X’ in FIG. 1. [0047] FIG. 3 shows a linear polarizer and a circular polarizing layer according to some embodiments.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a graph of color difference for various display modules.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows a vehicle interior according to some embodiments.

[0050] FIG. 6 shows a display module attached to a rigid support according to some embodiments.

[0051] FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of the display module and rigid support structure of FIG. 6 along the cross-section line 7-7’.

[0052] FIG. 8 shows a display module configuration.

[0053] FIG. 9 shows a color mismatch between the viewing area and the black matrix region of the display module configuration of FIG. 8.

[0054] FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of a display module according to some embodiments along the cross-section line X-X’ in FIG. 1 .

[0055] FIG. 11 shows a cross-section of a display module according to some embodiments along the cross-section line X-X’ in FIG. 1 .

[0056] FIG. 12 shows a cross-section of a display module according to some embodiments along the cross-section line X-X’ in FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] The following examples are illustrative, but not limiting, of the present disclosure. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of the variety of conditions and parameters normally encountered in the field, and which would be apparent to those skilled in the art, are within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0058] Display modules including an electronic display typically include a cover glass. The cover glass can, among other things, protect the electronic display, provide display quality, and provide aesthetic decoration under ambient light. A typical display module, for example an automotive interior display module, can comprise an anti-reflective cover glass (AR), an electronic liquid crystal display, an optically clear resin (OCR) that attaches the liquid crystal display to the anti-reflective cover glass, a touch screen panel (TSP), and a black matrix region (BM) comprising a black masking layer configured to conceal components of the electronic liquid crystal display outside of a viewing area (VA) of the liquid crystal display. As used herein, the term “blackmatrix region (BM)” means the region of a display module comprising an opaque black region of a masking layer. FIG. 8 shows an exemplary typical display module configuration 800. Display module configuration 800 comprises a liquid crystal display 810 with a linear polarizer 812, a touch screen panel 830, a masking layer 850, and a cover glass 860 coated with an anti-reflection coating 870. Liquid crystal display 810 with a linear polarizer 812 is attached to touch screen panel 830 via an optically clear resin 820. Touch screen panel 830 is attached to cover glass 860 via an optically clear resin 840.

[0059] When describing the reflectivity of an optical system, it is important to distinguish between the total reflectivity from the entire system and the reflectance from the individual interfaces between components of the system. Examples of interfaces are air/glass, glass/OCR and OCR/polarizer. An optical system can comprise several sub- systems, each having its own reflectivity. Examples of sub-systems are antireflection coatings, cover glasses, and optical displays. It may be noted that an antireflection coating may comprise several optical layers (including the substrate) each of which contributes a reflectance that sums coherently to give a final reflectivity value. If the AR coating is disposed on a substrate, the total reflectivity of that optical system comprises the reflectivity of the AR-coating sub-system and the reflectance from the back surface of the substrate. If an air gap is introduced, the two air/material interfaces added to the optical system can add an additional 8% to 9% reflectivity. For the purposes of this disclosure, total reflectivity refers to the sum of the reflectances from optical interfaces that comprise an optical system and reflectance refers to the reflectivity from a single interface. Unless specified otherwise, a reflectance described herein is measured at an incidence of 8°.

[0060] Another important aspect to describing reflections from an interface or from a total system is the distinction between the specular and diffuse components of the reflection. When the angle of reflection is substantially symmetric to the angle of incidence about the surface normal, this reflection component is known as specular or mirror-like. When the reflected angle is different from the specular angle, the reflection is known as diffuse reflection. The measurement of the sum of all reflected angles, both specular and diffuse, yields the total scattering also known as the “specular angle included” or SCI reflectivity. When all angles except for the specular are included in the measurement of reflection, the reflectivity is known as the “specular component excluded” or SCE reflectivity. In a perfect mirror, the diffuse component of reflection is zero and the SCE reflectivity would also be zero but the SCI reflectivity would represent the total reflectivity and would be equal to the specular reflection. [0061] For display module configuration 800, the total reflectivity of the viewing area (VA) can be expressed as R_AR+R_{O CR} R_TSP R _Display, where R_AR is the reflectance resulting from the presence of the cover glass 860 with the anti-reflection coating 870, R_OCR is the reflectance resulting from the presence of the optically clear resins 820 and 840, R _TSP is the reflectance resulting from the presence of the touch screen panel 830, and R Display is the reflectance resulting from the presence of the liquid crystal display 810. Similarly, the total reflectivity of the black matrix region (BM) around the viewing area (VA) can be expressed as R_AR+R_BM, where R_AR is the reflectance resulting from the presence of the cover glass 860 with the anti-reflection coating 870 and R_BM is the reflectance resulting from the presence of the masking layer 850 in the black matrix region (BM). If additional layers or components are included in the viewing area and/or the black matrix region, the reflectance resulting from the presence of those layers or components would be added to the above expressions.

[0062] Some cover glasses, which can include an anti-reflection coating, can have a reflectance contribution ranging from about 0.05% to about 2%. Some optically clear resins can have a reflectance contribution ranging from about 0.01% to about 0.2%. Some touch screen panels can have a reflectance contribution ranging from about 0.3% to about 1.5%. Some liquid crystal displays can have a reflectance contribution ranging from about 0.6% to about 2.0%. Some black masking layers can have a reflectance contribution ranging from ab out 0.3% to ab out 2.5%.

[0063] The reflectance values for these components and layers of a display module can lead to a visually perceptible color mismatch between the viewing area (VA) and the black matrix region (BM) when the liquid crystal display is turned off, as shown for example in FIG. 9.

[0064] Such a visually perceptible color mismatch can be aesthetically unappealing for some users. In some use cases where the display module is subj ectto a high intensity of ambient light (for example, sunlight in an automotive application), the color mismatch can be particularly noticeable. Reflections from surfaces of the electronic display, cover glass, and/or other components of the display module can detract from the aesthetic appearance of the display module by creating the color mismatch. And, in some cases, these reflections can inhibit a user’s ability to clearly view content displayed within the viewing area.

[0065] Some mitigation techniques for limiting ambient light reflections in vehicular applications include the following. A dashboard designed to prevent reflections of direct external light from reachingthe driver or other occupants. An angled display and/or cover glass surface to redirect reflections away from driver and occupant. A design that includes an antiglare scattering surface treatment on the display surface and/or the cover glass to spread reflected light over a wide range of angles, thereby reducing the magnitude of the direct specular reflection. A design that includes an antireflection interference coating on the display and/or the cover glass to reduce the magnitude of the direct specular reflection. In some cases, these design -based mitigation techniques can be effective in eliminating visible reflections, but they can lead to unattractive designs that occupy valuable real estate within a vehicle’ s interior. [0066] When the display is turned off, black color matching between the viewing area (VA) and the black matrix region (BM) can limit or eliminate the visually perceptible color mismatch between the viewing area (VA) and the black matrix region (BM). Display modules according to embodiments described herein can limit or eliminate a visually perceptible color mismatch by tailoring the color difference between the reflectivity of the viewing area (VA) and the reflectivity of the black matrix region (BM) to meet both of a color difference and a color difference as shown below in Equation 1 and

Equation 2.

[0067] Unless specified otherwise, value and a value disclosed

herein are measured using a d/8° spectrophotometer instrument (for example a Konica Minolta CM700d spectrometer) with a standard CIED65 illuminant according to ASTM El 79 (Standard Guide for Selection of Geometric Conditions for Measurement of Reflection and Transmission Properties) and ASTM El 767 (Standard Practice for Specifying the Geometry of Observation and Measurement to Characterize the Appearance of Materials). is the color difference with the specular component of the reflectivity included in

the measurement. This component of the reflectivity includes all light scattered from an object. is the color difference with the specular component of the reflectivity

excluded. This component of the reflectivity includes only the diffuse light scattering from an object. By matchingboth and display modules according to

embodiments of the present application can create color matching at all viewing angles. [0068] Photopic reflectance used to evaluate color-matching mimics the response of the human eye by weighting the reflectance versus wavelength spectrum according to the human eye’s sensitivity. Photopic reflectance may also be defined as the luminance, or tristimulus Y coordinate of reflected light, according to known conventions such as CIE color space conventions. The triplet of values known as the tristimulus coordinates are defined in Equations 3 - 5 as the spectral reflectance R(λ) multiplied by the illuminant spectrum I_illum(λ) and the CIE’s color matching functions

or related to the eye’s spectral

response.

[0069] The color matching functions of Equations 1 and 2 can be tabulated for either a 2-degree (CIE 1931 ) or 10-degree (CIE 1964) standard observer. A 10-degree standard observer was assumed for all the color-matching values reported herein. Furthermore, these tristimulus values can be converted to the CIELAB 1976 perception-based color space according to Equations 6 - 8 as follows.

[0070] In Equations 6 - 8, the X_N, Y_N, and Z_N values refer to the white achromatic standard illuminant as a reference, which are calculated according to Equations 9 - 11 as follows.

[0071] For δ=6/29, the function f(t), is given by the following Equation.

[0072] L* describes the perception of lightness relative to a white standard while a* and b* quantify the perception of color using a pair of orthogonal dimensionless coordinates describing blue/yellow andgreen/red opponent colors. In most industries, a CIED65 standard illuminantis used as the white standard representing the illumination at noon in northern Europe with a color temperature of 6504 K. Unless specified otherwise, a L*, a*, orb* value disclosed herein is measured using a d/8° spectrophotometer instrument (for example a Konica Minolta CM700d spectrometer) with a standard CIE D65 illuminant according to ASTM El 79 (Standard Guide for Selection of Geometric Conditions for Measurement of Reflection and Transmission Properties) and ASTME1767 (Standard Practice for Specifying the Geometry of Observation and Measurement to Characterize the Appearance of Materials). [0073] An alternative to the orthogonal coordinates a* and b* is to use cylindrical coordinates hue (h) and chroma (C). Hue is the attribute of colors that permits them to be classed as red, yellow, green, blue, or an intermediate between any contiguous pair of these colors. A hue represents a constant angle on a color wheel. Chroma represents the saturation or colorfulness of a color and would be represented by a constant dimensionless radius on a color wheel. The human eye is extremely sensitive to changes in hue h, but not very sensitive to changes in lightness (L*) or chroma. By definition, h and C are given by the polar representation of a* and b* according to the following equations.

[0074] To obtain measurements on a wide range of samples, glass coupons with various inks and AR coatings, were coupled with index-matching fluid to a display to approximate display module configuration 800 shown in FIG. 8. The index matching fluid acts as a temporary OCR replacing optically clear resin 820. The same technique can be used to simulate a touch screen by coupling an external touch screen panel 830 with index matching fluid acting as a temporary OCR replacing optically clear resin 840.

[0075] Tables 1 A and IB below show some examples of color matching performance simulating typical display modules with the specular component included and

with the specular component excluded for five different black masking layers

(BM1 - BM5) and two different displays (VA1 and VA2) combinations in which VA2 included a touch screen panel 830 and OCR 820, while VA1 excluded both the touch screen panel 830 and the OCR 820. All of the combinations tested had a display module structure as shown in FIG. 8, with or withoutthe touch screen panel 830 and the OCR 820. [0076] BM1 was a masking layer composed ofblack ink having the SCI and SCEL*, a*, and b* values reported in Tables 1 A and IB. BM2 was a masking layer composed of black ink havingthe SCI and SCE L*, a*, and b* values reported in Tables 1 A and IB. BM3 was a masking layer composed ofblack ink having the SCI and SCEL*, a*, and b* values reported in Tables 1 A and IB. BM4 was a masking layer composed of black ink havingthe SCI and SCE L*, a*, and b* values reported in Tables 1 A and IB. BM5 was a masking layer composed ofblack ink having the SCI and SCEL*, a*, and b* values reported in Tables 1A and IB. VA1 was an a-Si TFT-LCD from BOE (AVI 23Z7M-N 12-58P2, 12.3”, 8:3 aspect ratio) with a glossy polarizer. VA2 was a display module a-Si TFT-LCD from BOE (AV123Z7M-N12-58P2, 12.3”, 8:3 aspect ratio) with a glossy polarizer and atouch screen panel.

[0077] The anti -reflective cover glass (AR) for each combination was AutoGrade™

Corning Gorilla Glass for 2D Interiors coated with 7-layer SiO₂/Nb₂O₅ optical interference coating designed to have low reflectance (Y=0.39%) in the visible wavelength range with a color given by a*=0.16 and b*=-3.14. For the optically clear resin, an index matching fluid was used as a temporary optical bonding material. The index matching fluid was Johnson’s® Baby Oil (mineral oil) having a refractive index of n=l .4677 at 550 nm. All of the

L*, a*, b*, and Y values reported in Tables 1 A and IB were measured using a d/8°

Konica Minolta CM700d spectrometer.

[0078] As shown in Tables 1 A, the Y component of reflectance of the anti-reflective layer on the cover glass was 0.39%. As used herein, the “ Y component of reflectance” is defined by Equation 4 and represents the reflectivity of a layer or component in the green light spectrum (about 550 nanometers), which is the dominant reflectivity wavelength range perceived by the human eye. A Y component of reflectance can be measured by a spectrometer (for example, the d/8° Konica Minolta CM700d spectrometer). As such, the Y component of reflectance is a good indication of the average reflectance of a layer or component. A value of 0.39% indicates the anti-reflective coating on the cover glass had a suitably low reflectance. As shown in Table 1 A, the BM5 and VA1 combination resulted in the best color matching, with a

value of 1.28. All the other combinations exhibited a value of 3.5 or more. Although, while the BM5 and VA1 combination resulted in

a low the value for this combination was 1.69, as shown in Table IB.

None of the combinations tested exhibited both a value of less than 3 and a

value of less than 1.

Table 1A

Table IB

[0079] Tables lA and IB show that color-matching performance can be sensitive to the black ink material of a masking layer and/or the type of display. Color-matching performance can also vary depending on whether the display module includes a touch screen panel.

[0080] Embodiments of the present application achieve desirable color-matching performance between a black matrix region (BM) and a viewing area (VA) of a display module. This color-matching performance according to embodiments of the present application can be realized by including one or more circular polarizing layers in a display module stack. In some embodiments, a circular polarizing layer can be positioned on the bottom side of a cover glass. In some embodiments, the circular polarizing layer can be oriented such that the transmission axis of the circular polarizing layer’ s linear polarizer is offset from the transmission axis of the linear polarizer included in an electronic display of the display module by an offset angle. By orienting the circular polarizing layer in this fashion, the ordinary axis (o-axis) of the circular polarizing layer’s quarter-wave plate can be fully aligned or closely aligned to the electronic display’s linear polarizer. This orientation of the circular polarizing layer can prevent or reduce a color shift of the electronic display image that can result in color mismatching. By preventing or reducing this color shift, suitable color-matching values as described herein can be achieved.

[0081] In some embodiments, the circular polarizing layer can reduce the reflectivity scale factor (a) of a display module’s viewing area and reduce the luminescence scale factor (P) of the electronic display. By reducing these scale factor values, suitable color-matching values as described herein can be achieved.

[0082] In some embodiments, display module designs described herein can include direct bonding of layers and components. Direct bonding can, among other things, reduce or eliminate intermediate reflections (for example, internal reflections created by one or more air gaps within the design) and offer over improved touch response for touch screen displays. [0083] In some embodiments, display module designs described herein can include one or more air gaps between layers or components of the display module. Designs including an air gap can, among other things, facilitate rework or repair of the display module by enabling easier deconstruction of the module and facilitate the construction of display modules with curved cover glasses. For example, an air gap can reduce light leakage effects for curved LCD displays that can affect the black uniformity of the display in the off state and white uniformity in the on state. Display module designs with air gaps as described herein can offer one or more of the following advantages. (1) The designs can work for 2D or 3D display module configurations. (2) The designs can facilitate the construction of a display module with more than one electronic display. (3) The designs can minimize total reflectivity. (4) The designs can facilitate the use of a flat electronic display with a 3D cover glass. (5) The designs can provide the color matching performance described herein. (6) The designs can allow for differential thermal expansion of materials, which can improve the lifetime performance of the display module. In some embodiments, the air gap size can be minimized for a display module in which touch functionality is desired. In some embodiments, touch functionality can be enhanced using, for example, a projected-capacitive touch solution or a camera-based solution.

[0084] FIG. 1 shows a display module 100 according to some embodiments. FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of display module 100 according to some embodiments along the cross-section line X-X’ . Display module 100 can comprise one or more electronic displays 110, one or more masking layers 150, one or more circular polarizing layers 160, and one or more cover glasses 170.

[0085] As used herein, and as schematically shown in FIG. 3, a circular polarizer layer 160 comprises two optical elements: a linear polarizer 168 and a quarter-wave plate 166, typically bonded together to form the combined optical element referred to as a circular polarizer. The orientation of the linear polarizer is defined by the direction of its polarization axis 169 in the plane of the polarizer. The orientation of the quarter-wave plate is defined by the directions of its orthogonal extraordinary e-axis and ordinary o-axis optical axes. To convert arbitrarily polarized incident light into circularly polarized light, the circular polarizing layer 160 can be oriented such that the incident light is incident from the side containing the linear polarizer. The linear polarizer can be oriented such that its polarization axis is oriented at 45 degrees to both the e-axis and the o-axis of the wave plate.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 2, electronic display 110 comprises a first surface 112 and a second surface 114 opposite first surface 112. In some embodiments, first surface 112 of electronic display 110 can be a top, user-facing surface of electronic display 110. In some embodiments, second surface 114 of electronic display 110 can be a bottom surface of electronic display 110. As used herein, the terms “top surface” or “bottom surface” reference the top and bottom surface of a layer, component, or article as is would be oriented during its normal and intended use with the top surface being the user-facing surface. For example, when incorporated into a consumer electronic product having an electronic display, the “top surface” of the electronic display refers to the top surface of the display as it would be oriented so that a user could view content displayed on the electronic display.

[0087] Electronic display 110 comprises one or more viewing areas 116. A viewing area 116 is an area of electronic display 110 in which a user can view content, for example graphical images, displayed by an active display layer 120 of electronic display 110.

[0088] Active display layer 120 can be, for example, a liquid crystal (LC) layer, a light emitting diode (LED) array, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) array, a micro-LED array, or a micro-OLED array. Active display layer 120 can comprise a first side 122 and a second side 124 disposed opposite first side 122. In some embodiments, first side 122 of active display layer 120 can define a top, user-facing surface of active display layer 120. In some embodiments, second side 124 of active display layer 120 can define a bottom surface of active display layer 120.

[0089] Electronic display 110 can be attached to a circular polarizing layer 160 with an optically clear resin 118. In some embodiments, electronic display can be directly attached to circular polarizing layer 160 with optically clear resin 118. In such embodiments, first surface 112 of electronic display 110 can be directly attached to a second surface 164 of circular polarizing layer 160 within an opening 154 of a masking layer 150.

[0090] As used herein, “optically clear” means an average transmittance of 90% or more in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 700 nm through a 1.0 mm thick piece of a material. In some embodiments, an optically clear material can have an average transmittance of 95% or more or 98% or more in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 700 nm through a 1.0 mm thick piece of the material. The average transmittance in the wavelength range of 400 nm to 700 nm is calculated by measuring the transmittance of all whole number wavelengths from 400 nm to 700 nm and averaging the measurements. Unless specified otherwise, a transparency, or lack thereof, is measured by a spectrophotometer, for example a Color i7 spectrophotometer available from X-Rite or an equivalent device.

[0091] As illustrated in, for example in FIGS. 2 and 3, electronic display 110 can comprise one or more linear polarizers 126 comprising a transmission axis 127. Linear polarizer 126 can filter light in the visible wavelength spectrum (380 nanometers to 720 nanometers) emitted from active display layer 120 that is not oscillating in the direction of transmission axis 127. In some embodiments, a linear polarizer 126 can define first surface 112 of electronic display 110.

[0092] In some embodiments, electronic display 110 can comprise an active display layer 120 comprising a liquid crystal display. In such embodiments, active display layer 120 can comprise a color filter layer, a liquid crystal layer, and a thin-film-transistor layer. In such embodiments, electronic display 110 can also comprise a backlight 130 and one or more linear polarizers 128 disposed between backlight 130 and second side 124 of active display layer 120 to filter light emitted from backlight 130. In some embodiments, electronic display 110 can comprise an active display layer 120 comprising the liquid crystal display, and a linear polarizer 126 disposed over the liquid crystal display; and display module 100 can comprise a touch screen panel 140 disposed over the linear polarizer 126 and attached to a surface of linear polarizer 126 with an optically clear resin 146. [0093] In some embodiments, electronic display 110 can have a reflectivity defined by the Y component of reflectance from about 0.6% to about 2.0%.

[0094] Circular polarizing layer 160 described herein may not be a component of electronic display 110. Rather, circular polarizing layer 160 can be a separate component attached to electronic display 110 and/or cover glass 170 via one or more optically clear resin layers. In some embodiments, electronic display 110 does not comprise a circular polarizing layer. Conventional LCD displays do nottypically comprise an integrated circular polarizing layer. Conventional LED displays, for example, displays comprising an LED array, an OLED array, a micro-LED array, or a micro-OLED array do typically comprise an integrated circular polarizing layer to suppress ambient light. If a circular polarizing layer is not included in such conventional LED displays, the LED display can have a mirror-like appearance, which makes it difficultforauser to view information displayed by the display. In cases where sucha mirror- like appearance is desirable for conventional LED displays, neither the display nor a display module comprising the display includes a circular polarizing layer. In embodiments including an electronic display 110 that does not comprise a circular polarizing layer, display module 100 can comprise circular polarizing layer 160 and be devoid of a second circular polarizing layer disposed between electronic display 110 and cover glass 170.

[0095] Masking layer 150 is disposed over electronic display 110 and comprises one or more opaque regions 152 and one or more openings 154. In some embodiments, an opaque region 152 can surround an opening 154. Viewing area 116 of electronic display 110 can be visible through an opening 154 of masking layer 150. In some embodiments, an opening 154 can define the perimeter of viewing area 116.

[0096] As used herein, “opaque” means that no more than 0.1% of light having a wavelength within the range of 400 nm to 700 nm is able to transmit through a component described as opaque. In some embodiments, masking layer 150 can comprise an opaque ink layer. 9. In some embodiments, the masking layer 150 can have a black color. As used herein, a layer or component described as being “black” or as having a “black color” means that, when the layer or component is deposited on a surface of a cover glass 170 (for example surface 174 or 172) with no anti-reflective coating, the layer or component adds 0.3% to 2.5% to the total Y component of reflectivity with an added chroma value (C) less than 2, where the Y and C values are measured from the opposite surface of the cover glass 170 (for example, surface 172 or 174). In some embodiments, the masking layer 150 can comprise an opaque black ink layer. Exemplary, opaque black inks include, but are not limited to, black inks BM1-BM5. [0097] In some embodiments, an opaque region 152 of masking layer 150 can have a reflectance definedby the Y component of reflectance from about0.3%to about2.5%. [0098] In some embodiments, masking layer 150 can be disposed between electronic display 110 and cover glass 170. In some embodiments, masking layer 150 can be disposed on second surface 174 of cover glass 170. In some embodiments, masking layer 150 can be attached to second surface 174 of cover glass 170. In some embodiments, masking layer 150 can be directly attached to second surface 174 of cover glass 170.

[0099] As used herein, “disposed on” means that a first layer or component is in direct contact with a second layer or component. In other words, if a first layer or component is disposed on a second layer or component, there are no layers or components disposed between the first layer or component and the second layer or component. A first layer or component described as “attached to” a second layer or component means that the layers or components are attached to each other via an adhesive layer. A first layer or component described as “directly attached to” a second layer or component means that the layers or components are directly attached to each other via an adhesive layer with no intervening layers. If a first layer or component is described as “disposed over” a second layer or component, other layers may or may not be present between the first layer or component and the second layer or component. A first layer or component described as “disposed on” or “disposed over” a second layer or component does not imply that the first layer or component and the second layer or component were assembled in any particular order. Unless specified otherwise, the first layer or component and the second layer or component can be assembled in any order.

[0100] Circular polarizing layer 160 can be disposed over masking layer 150. Circular polarizing layer 160 comprises a first surface 162 and a second surface 164 opposite first surface 162. In some embodiments, first surface 162 of circular polarizing layer 160 can be atop, user-facing surface of circular polarizing layer 160. In some embodiments, second surface 164 of circular polarizing layer 160 can be a bottom surface of circular polarizing layer 160.

[0101] As shown for example in FIG. 2, circular polarizing layer 160 can be disposed between masking layer 150 and cover glass 170. Circular polarizing layer 160 can be disposed over and overlap opening 154 of masking layer 150 and can be disposed over and overlap all or a portion of opaque region 152 of masking layer 150. In other words, circular polarizing layer 160 overlaps opening 154 of masking layer 150 and overlaps all or a portion of opaque region 152 of masking layer 150. By being disposed over and overlapping opening 154, light reflected from electronic display 110 and any other component of display module 100 below opening 154 will pass through circular polarizing layer 160 before exiting display module 100. Similarly, by being disposed over and overlapping at least a portion of opaque region 152, light reflected from opaque region 152 of masking layer 150 will pass through circular polarizing layer 160 before exiting display module 100.

[0102] In some embodiments, a circular polarizing layer 160 that overlaps opaque region 152 of masking layer 150 and opening 154 of masking layer 150, overlaps all or a portion of region 152 and opening 154 in an two-dimensional orthographic projection of display module 100. For example, using FIG. 1 as an example of a two-dimensional orthographic projection of display module 100, circular polarizing layer 160 can comprise a two-dimensional shape defined by a perimeter edge 161. In the two-dimensional orthographic projection of display module 100 comprising circular polarizing layer 160 overlapping opaque region 152 and opening 154, the shape of circular polarizing layer 160 defined by perimeter edge 161 overlaps all or a portion of the orthographic projection of opening 154 and all or a portion of the orthographic projection of opaque region 152. As used herein, a first component that “overlaps” as second component means that the first component overlaps all or a portion of the second component in a two-dimensional orthographic projection of display module 100.

[0103] In some embodiments, masking layer 150 can be disposed on second surface 164 of circular polarizing layer 160. In some embodiments, masking layer 150 can be directly attached to second surface 164 of circular polarizing layer 160.

[0104] Circular polarizing layer 160 can be attached to second surface 174 of cover glass 170. In some embodiments, first surface 162 of circular polarizing layer 160 canbe disposed on second surface 174 of cover glass 170. In some embodiments, first surface 162 of circular polarizing layer 160 canbe directly attached to second surface 174 of cover glass 170 with an optically clear resin.

[0105] As shown for example in FIG. 3, circular polarizing layer 160 comprises a quarter-wave plate 166 and a linear polarizer 168. Quarter- wave plate 166 comprises an ordinary axis (o-axis) and an extraordinary axis (e-axis). Linear polarizer 168 has a transmission axis 169 offset from transmission axis 127 of linear polarizer 126 by an offset angle 180. As discussed herein, offsetting transmission axis 169 and transmission axis 127 by offset angle 180 creates color matching between opaque region 152 of masking layer 150 and viewing area 116 of a display module 100 when electronic display 110 is powered off. In some embodiments, the ordinary axis of quarter-wave plate 166 can be aligned with transmission axis 127 of linear polarizer 126 when offset angle 180 is set at 45 degrees. [0106] In some embodiments, offset angle 180 can range from 25 degreesto 65 degrees, including subranges. For example, in some embodiments, offset angle 180 can range from 25 degrees to 65 degrees, 30 degrees to 65 degrees, 35 degrees to 65 degrees, 40 degrees to 65 degrees, 45 degrees to 65 degrees, 50 degreesto 65 degrees, 55 degrees to 65 degrees, 25 degrees to 60 degrees, 25 degrees to 55 degrees, 25 degreesto 50 degrees, 25 degrees to 45 degrees, 25 degrees to 40 degrees, or 25 degrees to 35 degrees. In some embodiments, offset angle 180 can range from 40 degrees to 50 degrees. In some embodiments, offset angle 180 can be about 45 degrees. An offset angle below 25 degrees of or above 65 degrees can create undesirable color shift for a display image emitted by electronic display 110.

[0107] Cover glass 170 is disposed over circular polarizing layer 160. Cover glass 170 comprises a first surface 172 and a second surface 174 opposite first surface 172. In some embodiments, first surface 172 of cover glass 170 can be a top, user-facing surface of cover glass 170. In some embodiments, second surface 174 of cover glass 170 can be a bottom surface of cover glass 170.

[0108] In some embodiments, cover glass 170 can comprise an anti-reflection layer 190 disposed on a surface of cover glass 170. In some embodiments, anti-reflection layer 190 can be disposed on first surface 172 of the cover glass 170.

[0109] As used herein, an anti-reflection layer can be a layer comprising either of the following characteristics. (1) An anti-reflection layer can be a coating comprising one or more layers having a refractive index (nl) between the refractive index (nS) of the surface of cover glass 170 on which it is coated and the refractive index of air (n = 1). (2) An anti- reflection layer can be a coating having gradient refractive index, where the refractive index of the gradient layer varies from a low refractive index (nL) at the air interface (with l<nL<nS) and increasing to a high refractive index of nH at the surface of cover glass 170 on which it is coated, where nL<nH<nS. nS is the refractive index of the surface of the cover glass on which the coating is located. This variation in refractive index canbe obtained through an effective index effect produced by either intentional gradient porosity (vacuum or gas-filled voids or interstitial regions) or geometrical structures (e.g., pyramids or moth-eye structures). The gradient can also be achieved by spatially varying the ratio of the material components of a multicomponent material in such a way that the refractive index varies. [0110] Exemplary materials suitable for use in an anti-reflection layer include ,but are not limited to, SiO2, A1₂O₃, GeO₂, SiO, A10_xN_y, AIN, SiN_x, SiO_xN_y, Si_uAl_vO_xN_y, Ta₂O₅, Nb₂C>5, TiO₂, ZrO₂, TiN, MgO, MgF₂, BaF₂, CaF₂, SnO₂, HfO₂, Y₂O₃, MoO₃, DyF₃, YbF₃, YF₃, CeF₃, polymers, fluoropolymers, plasma-polymerized polymers, siloxane polymers, silsesquioxanes, polyimides, fluorinated polyimides, polyetherimide, poly ethersulfone, polyphenylsulfone, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, acrylic polymers, urethane polymers, polymethylmethacrylate, and other materials cited above as suitable for use in a scratch resistant layer. An anti-reflection coating layer can comprise sub-layers of different materials.

[0111] In some embodiments, an anti-reflection layer can comprise a hexagonally packed nanoparticle layer, for example but not limited to, the hexagonally packed nanoparticle layers described in U.S. Patent No. 9,272,947, issued March 1, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety by reference thereto. In some embodiments, an anti-reflection layer can comprise a nanoporous Si- containing coating layer, for example but not limited to the nanoporous Si- containing coating layers described in WO 2013/106629, published on July 18, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety by reference thereto. In some embodiments, an anti-reflection layer can comprise a multilayer coating, for example, but not limited to the multilayer coatings described in WO 2013/106638, published on July 18, 2013 ; WO 2013/082488, published on June 6, 2013; and U.S. Patent No. 9,335,444, issued on May 10, 2016, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety by reference thereto.

[0112] In some embodiments, anti-reflection layer 190 can have a reflectance defined by the Y component of reflectance ranging from about 0.1% to about 2%.

[0113] In some embodiments, display module 100 can comprise one or more touch screen panels 140 disposed over electronic display 110. Touch screen panel 140 comprises a first surface 142 and a second surface 144 opposite first surface 142. In some embodiments, first surface 142 of touch screen panel 140 can be a top, user-facing surface of touch screen panel 140. In some embodiments, second surface 144 of touch screen panel 140 can be a bottom surface of touch screen panel 140.

[0114] In some embodiments comprising touch screen panel 140, electronic display 110 can be attached to touch screen panel 140 with an optically clear resin 146. In some embodiments, electronic display 110 can be directly attached to touch screen panel 140 with optically clear resin 146. In such embodiments, first surface 112 of electronic display 110 can be directly attached to second surface 144 of touch screen panel 140 with optically clear resin 146.

[0115] In some embodiments comprising touch screen panel 140, touch screen panel 140 can be attached to circular polarizing layer 160 with optically clear resin 118. In some embodiments, first surface 142 of touch screen panel 140 can be attached to second surface 164 of circular polarizing layer 160 with optically clear resin 118. In some embodiments, first surface 142 of touch screen panel 140 can be directly attached to second surface 164 of circular polarizing layer 160 with optically clear resin 118. In such embodiments, first surface 142 of touch screen panel 140 can be directly attached to second surface 164 of circular polarizing layer 160 with optically clear resin 118 within opening 154 of masking layer 150. [0116] In some embodiments, touch screen panel 140 can have a reflectance defined by the Y component of reflectance ranging from about 0.3% to about 1.5%.

[0117] In some embodiments, optically clear resin 118 and/or optically clear resin 146 can have a reflectance defined by the Y component of reflectance ranging from about 0.01% to about 0.2%.

[0118] The design of circular polarizing layer 160 for display module 100 can create the following reflectivity values for viewing area 116 and opaque region 152 of masking layer 150 when electronic display 110 is powered off. Viewing area 116 can have a first reflectivity and opaque region 152 of masking layer 150 can have a second reflectivity such that a color difference between the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity meets the following two requirements.

and

[0119] with being the color difference between the first reflectivity of

viewing area 116 and the second reflectivity of opaque region 152 with the specular component of the first reflectivity of viewing area 116 and the second reflectivity of opaque region 152 included, and being the color difference between the first reflectivity of

viewing area 116 and the second reflectivity of opaque region 152 with the specular component of the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity excluded.

[0120] In some embodiments, viewing area 116 can have a first reflectivity and opaque region 152 of masking layer 150 can have a second reflectivity such that a color difference between the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity meets the following two requirements.

[0121] Tables 2A and 2B below show some examples of color matching performance for exemplary display modules according to embodiments of the present application with the specular component included

and with the specular component excluded The combinations included the same five different black masking layers (BM1 -

BM5) and the same two different displays (VA1 and VA2) as discussed above for Tables 1 A and 1B. The combinations also included the same cover glass and optically clear resin materials as discussed above for Tables 1 and IB. All of the L*, a*, b*,

and Y values reported in Tables 2A and 2B were measured using a d/8° Konica Minolta CM700d spectrometer. The offset angle 180 for the transmission axis 169 of the circular polarizer’s linear polarizer and transmission axis 127 of the displays’ linear polarizer 126 in each combination was 45 degrees.

Table 2A

Table 2B

[0122] As shown in Tables 2A and 2B, all combinations of BM1 - BM5 and VA1 and VA2 resulted in a value of less than 3 and a value of less than 1.

These results show circular polarizing layer 160 according to embodiments of the present application is capable of creating color matching with a display module comprising a touch screen panel and with a display module not comprising a touch screen panel. The data of Tables 1A - 2B is plotted in graph 400 in FIG. 4 for comparison. “No CP on cover glass” represents the combinations in Tables 1 A and IB without the circular polarizing layer. “CP on cover glass” represents the combinations in Tables 2A and 2B with the circular polarizing layer included.

[0123] Table 3 below shows the reflectivity scale factor (a) and the luminescence scale factor (P) formulae to consider for the optical path of reflected and transmitted light for the exemplary display module configurations with BM1 - BM5 and VA1 and VA2.

byBM ink scattering” represents the amount of depolarization at the BM layers.

Table 3

[0124] Table 4 below shows scale factors of reflectivity (alpha, α) and display luminance (beta, β) obtained for the combinations in Tables 1 A - 2B. The reflectivity scale factor for the display modules ranged from 1 % to 14% depending on the amount of depolarization at the BM layers. Alpha denotes a scale factor to attenuate reflectivity of each layer. A small alpha value generally indicates a lower reflectivity. The variable “T” represents the transmittance of the circular polarizing layer. Beta denotes a scale factor for brightness reduction.

Table 4

[0125] As discussed above, the results shown in Tables 2A and 2B are for display modules having an offset angle 180 of 45 degrees for the transmission axis of the circular polarizer’s linear polarizer and transmission axis of the display’s linear polarizer. However, an offset angle 180 rangingfrom 25 degrees to 65 degrees can create color-matching that meets the following two requirements:

or the following two requirements:

[0126] Table 5 below shows the ratio of Y and Y ref for the viewing area of VA1 display module according to some embodiments with a circular polarizing layer 160 attached to the display module. “ Y” is the reflectance component of the viewing area of the display module at different offset angles. “ Y ref” is the reflectivity component of the viewing area of the VA1 display module without a circular polarizer.

[0127] As shown in Table 5, circular polarizers having an offset angle ranging from 25 degrees to 65 degrees had a Y/Y_ref ratio ranging from 48.22 to 46.71. This shows that there is no significant difference in reflectivity for a display at offset angles ranging from 25 degrees to 65 degrees. As such, circular polarizers having an offset angle ranging from 25 degrees to 65 degrees can achieve desirable reflectivity performance while also preventing or reducing a color shift of the electronic display image that can result in color mismatching.

Table 5

[0128] In some embodiments, display module 100 can be incorporated into a vehicle interior by attaching display module 100 to a rigid support structure (for example, rigid support structure 600) within the vehicle interior. FIG. 5 shows a vehicle interior 500 accordingto some embodiments. In some embodiments, vehicle interior 500 can comprise a center console base 510 having a flat or curved surface 512 comprising a display module 100. In some embodiments, vehicle interior system 500 can comprise a dashboard base 520 having a flat or curved surface 522 comprising a display module 100. In some embodiments, vehicle interior 500 can comprise a steering wheel base 530 having a flat or curved surface 532 comprising a display module 100. In some embodiments, vehicle interior 500 can comprise a base that is an arm rest, a pillar, a seat back, a floor board, a headrest, a or door panel having a flat or curved surface comprising a display module 100.

[0129] While FIG. 5 shows an automobile interior, the vehicle interior 500 can be any included in any type of vehicle, for example trains, automobiles (e.g., cars, trucks, buses and the like), sea craft (boats, ships, submarines, and the like), and aircraft (e.g., drones, airplanes, jets, helicopters and the like).

[0130] Further, while FIG. 5 shows display module 100 incorporated into a vehicle interior, it should be understood that display module 100 can be incorporated into various types of display applications. In some embodiments, display module 100 can be incorporated into an article with a display (or display articles), for example, consumer electronic products, including mobile phones, tablets, computers, navigation systems, wearable devices (e.g., watches and the like), architectural articles (e.g., a window or window assembly), or appliance articles (e.g., refrigerators or ranges).

[0131] FIGS. 6 and 7 show display module 100 attached to a rigid support structure 600 according to some embodiments. Rigid support structure 600 comprises a frame 610 defining an opening 620 and attached to cover glass 170. In some embodiments, frame 610 can be directly attached to masking layer 150. In some embodiments, frame 610 can be directly attached to second surface 174 of cover glass 170. In some embodiments, one or more components of display module 100, including electronic display 110, touch screen panel 140, masking layer 150, and circular polarizing layer 160 can be disposed within opening 620 of frame 610. [0132] In some embodiments, display module 100 can comprise a curved display module 100. In some embodiments, cover glass 170 can comprise a curved portion. In some embodiments, electronic display 110 can comprise a curved portion. In some embodiments, cover glass 170 can comprise a curved portion and electronic display can comprise curved portion.

[0133] In some embodiments, a curved electronic display 110 can comprise a curved region 113 comprising one or more curved surfaces 115 having a radius of curvature of less than or equal to 5000 mm (millimeters). In some embodiments, a curved electronic display 110 can comprise a curved region 113 comprising one or more curved surfaces 115 having a radius of curvature of ranging from 50 mm to 5000 mm. In some embodiments, first surface 112 of electronic display 110 can comprise a curved surface 115. In some embodiments, first surface 112 and second surface 114 of electronic display 110 can comprise curved surfaces 115.

[0134] FIG. 10 shows a cross-section of display module 100 according to some embodiments along the cross-section line X-X’ . Display module 100 can comprise electronic display 110 comprising active display layer 120 and viewing area 116. Display module 100 can comprise masking layer 150 disposed over electronic display 110, masking layer 150 comprising opaque region 152 and opening 154. Viewing area 116 can be visible through opening 154 of masking layer 150. Cover glass 170 canbe disposed over masking layer 150.

[0135] Display module 100 comprises circular polarizing layer 160 disposed between electronic display 110 and cover glass 170. Circular polarizing layer 160 can overlap opaque region 152 of masking layer 150 and opening 154 of masking layer 150.

[0136] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, circular polarizing layer 160 can be attached to cover glass 170 with an optically clear resin 1010. In some embodiments, circular polarizing layer 160 can be directly attached to second surface 174 cover glass 170 with optically clear resin 1010. In some embodiments, circular polarizing layer 160 can be attached to electronic display 110 with an optically clear resin 1020. In some embodiments, circular polarizing layer 160 can be directly attached to first surface 112 of electronic display 110 with optically clear resin 1010.

[0137] In some embodiments, optically clear resin 1010 and/or optically clear resin 1020 can have a reflectance defined by the Y component of reflectance ranging from about 0.01% to about 0.2%.

[0138] In some embodiments, cover glass 170 of display module 100 illustrated in FIG. 10 can comprise a curved region 176 comprising one or more curved surfaces 177 having a radius of curvature of less than or equal to 5000 mm. In some embodiments, cover glass 170 of display module 100 illustrated in FIG. 10 can comprise a curvedregion 176 comprising one or more curved surfaces 177 having a radius of curvature ranging from 50 mm to 5000 mm. In some embodiments, first surface 172 of cover glass 170 can comprise a curved surface 177. In some embodiments, second surface 174 of cover glass 170 can comprise a curved surface 177. In some embodiments, first surface 172 and second surface 174 of cover glass 170 can comprise a curved surface 177.

[0139] In some embodiments, circular polarizing layer 160 can be attached to curved surface 177 of second surface 174 with optically clear resin 1010. In some embodiments, circular polarizing layer 160 can be directly attached to curved surface 177 of second surface 174 with optically clear resin 1010. In some embodiments, circular polarizing layer 160 can comprise a curved region 163 comprising a curved surface 165 having a second radius of curvature of less than or equal to 5000 mm. In some embodiments, circular polarizing layer 160 can comprise a curved region 163 comprising a curved surface 165 having a second radius of curvature of ranging from 50 mm to 5000 mm.

[0140] In some embodiments, viewing area 116 of display module 100 illustrated in

FIG. 10 can have a first reflectivity and opaque region 152 of masking layer 150 can have a second reflectivity such that a color difference between the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity meets the following two requirements.

and

[0141] with being the color difference between the first reflectivity of

[0142] In some embodiments, viewing area 116 can have a first reflectivity and opaque region 152 of masking layer 150 can have a second reflectivity such that a color difference between the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity meets the following two requirements.

[0143] In some embodiments, cover glass 170 can comprise anti-reflection layer 190 disposed on a surface (for example, surface 172 or 174) of cover glass 170. In some embodiments, anti-reflection layer 190 can be disposed on first surface 172 of cover glass 170 and circular polarizing layer 160 can be attached to second surface 174 of cover glass 170.

[0144] In some embodiments, display module 100 can comprise a bezel 1050 disposed over first surface 172 of cover glass 170. In some embodiments, bezel 1050 can overlap a portion of opaque region 152 of masking layer 150.

[0145] In some embodiments, display module 100 can comprise one or more air gaps between components or layers of the display module. As used herein, an “air gap” is an open space between two exposed surfaces of display module. An air gap can comprise a minimum lateral dimension (for example, minimum lateral dimension 1112) defining the minimum lateral space between the two exposed surfaces.

[0146] In some embodiments, the electronic display can be located on a first side of air gap 1110 and the cover glass can be located on a second side of the air gap opposite the electronic display. In some embodiments, the cover glass and the masking layer can be located on the second side of the air gap opposite the electronic display.

[0147] In some embodiments, the electronic display can be located on a first side of the air gap and the circular polarizing layer can be located on an opposite, second side of the air gap. In some embodiments, the circular polarizing layer and the masking layer can be located on the second side of the air gap opposite the electronic display. In some embodiments, the circular polarizing layer can be disposed between the air gap and the masking layer.

[0148] FIG. 11 shows a cross-section of display module 100 according to some embodiments along the cross-section line X-X’ . Display module 100 can comprise electronic display 110 comprising active display layer 120 and viewing area 116. Display module 100 can comprise masking layer 150 disposed over electronic display 110, masking layer 150 comprising opaque region 152 and opening 154. Viewing area 116 can be visible through opening 154 of masking layer 150. Cover glass 170 can be disposed over masking layer 150. [0149] Display module 100 comprises circular polarizing layer 160 disposed between electronic display 110 and cover glass 170. Circular polarizing layer 160 can overlap opaque region 152 of masking layer 150 and opening 154 of masking layer 150.

[0150] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, circular polarizing layer 160 can be attached to electronic display 110 via an optically clear resin 1140. In some embodiments, circular polarizing layer 160 can be directly attached to first surface 112 of electronic display 110 via optically clear resin 1140.

[0151] In some embodiments, as shown for example in FIG. 11, display module 100 can comprise an air gap 1110 located between electronic display 110 and cover glass 170. Electronic display 110 can be located on a first side of air gap 1110 and cover glass 170 can be located on a second side of airgap 1110 opposite electronic display 110. In some embodiments, cover glass 170 and masking layer 150 can be located on the second side of air gap 1110 opposite electronic display 110. In some embodiments, cover glass 170 and masking layer 150 can be located on the second side of air gap 1110, and electronic display 110 and circular polarizing layer 160 can be located on the first side of air gap 1110.

[0152] In some embodiments, air gap 1110 can be located between first surface 162 of circular polarizinglayer 160 and second surface 174 of cover glass 170. In some embodiments, lateral dimensions of air gap 1110 can be measured between first surface 162 of circular polarizing layer 160 and second surface 174 of cover glass 170. In some embodiments, minimum lateral dimension 1112 of air gap 1110 can be measured between first surface 162 of circular polarizing layer 160 and second surface 174 of cover glass 170.

[0153] In some embodiments, display module 100 can comprise an anti-reflection layer 1130 disposed on or attached to second surface 174 of cover glass 170. In some embodiments, anti-reflection layer 1130 can be attached to second surface 174 of cover glass 170 via an optically clear resin 1145. In some embodiments, a first surface 1132 of anti-reflection layer 1130 canbein direct contact with second surface 174 of cover glass 170. In some embodiments, anti-reflection layer 1130 can overlap all or a portion of masking layer 150. In some embodiments including anti-reflection layer 1130, lateral dimensions of air gap 1110 can be measured between first surface 162 of circular polarizing layer 160 and a second surface 1134 of anti-reflection layer 1130. In some embodiments, minimum lateral dimension 1112 of air gap 1110 can be measuredbetweenfirst surface 162 of circularpolarizinglayer 160 and second surface 1134 of anti-reflection layer 1130. [0154] In some embodiments, optically clear resin 1140 and/or optically clear resin 1145 can have a reflectance defined by the Y component of reflectance ranging from about 0.01% to about 0.2%.

[0155] In some embodiments, display module 100 can comprise an anti-reflection layer 1120 disposed on or attached to first surface 162 of circular polarizing layer 160. In some embodiments, a second surface 1124 of anti-reflection layer 1120 can be in direct contact with first surface 162 of circular polarizing layer 160. In some embodiments including anti- reflection layer 1130, lateral dimensions of air gap 1110 can be measured between a first surface 1122 of anti-reflection layer 1120 and a second surface 174 of cover glass 170. In some embodiments, minimum lateral dimension 1112 of air gap 1110 can be measured between first surface 1122 of anti-reflection layer 1120 and second surface 174 of cover glass 170.

[0156] In some embodiments, display module 100 can comprise anti-reflection layer 1120 and anti-reflection layer 1130. In some embodiments including anti-reflection layer 1120 and anti-reflection layer 1130, lateral dimensions of air gap 1110 can be measured between a first surface 1122 of anti-reflection layer 1120 and a second surface 1134 of anti-reflection layer 1130. In some embodiments, minimum lateral dimension 1112 of air gap 1110 can be measured between first surface 1122 of anti-reflection layer 1120 and second surface 1134 of anti-reflection layer 1130.

[0157] In some embodiments, anti-reflection layer 1120 and/or anti-reflection layer 1130 can have a reflectance defined by the Y component of reflectance ranging from about 0.1% to ab out 2% .

[0158] In some embodiments, minimum lateral dimension 1112 of air gap 1110 can be greater than or equal to 20 microns. In some embodiments, minimum lateral dimension 1112 of air gap 1110 can be greater than or equal to 1 mm.

[0159] In some embodiments, cover glass 170 of display module 100 illustrated in FIG.

11 can comprise a curved region 176 comprising one or more curved surfaces 177 having a radius of curvature of less than or equal to 5000 mm. In some embodiments, cover glass 170 of display module 100 illustrated in FIG. 11 can comprise a curved region 176 comprising one or more curved surfaces 177 having a radius of curvature ranging from 50 mm to 5000 mm. In some embodiments, first surface 172 of cover glass 170 can comprise a curved surface 177. In some embodiments, second surface 174 of cover glass 170 can comprise a curved surface 177. In some embodiments, first surface 172 and second surface 174 of cover glass 170 can comprise a curved surface 177. [0160] In some embodiments, viewing area 116 of display module 100 illustrated in FIG. 11 can have a first reflectivity and opaque region 152 of masking layer 150 can have a second reflectivity such that a color difference between the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity meets the following two requirements.

and

[0161] with being the color difference between the first reflectivity of

viewing area 116 and the second reflectivity with the specular component of the first reflectivity of viewing area 116 and the second reflectivity of opaque region 152 included, and being the color difference between the first reflectivity of viewing area 116 and

the second reflectivity of opaque region 152 with the specular component of the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity excluded.

[0162] In some embodiments, viewing area 116 can have a first reflectivity and opaque region 152 of masking layer 150 can have a second reflectivity such that a color difference between the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity meets the following two requirements.

[0163] In some embodiments, cover glass 170 can comprise anti-reflection layer 190 disposed on a surface (for example, surface 172 or 174) of cover glass 170. In some embodiments, anti-reflection layer 190 can be disposed on first surface 172 of cover glass 170 and anti-reflection layer 1130 can be attached to second surface 174 of cover glass 170.

[0164] In some embodiments, display module 100 can comprise a bezel 1150 disposed over first surface 172 of cover glass 170. In some embodiments, bezel 1150 can overlap a portion of opaque region 152 of masking layer 150.

[0165] FIG. 12 shows a cross-section of display module 100 according to some embodiments along the cross-section line X-X’ . Display module 100 can comprise electronic display 110 comprising active display layer 120 and viewing area 116. Display module 100 can comprise masking layer 150 disposed over electronic display 110, masking layer 150 comprising opaque region 152 and opening 154. Viewing area 116 can be visible through opening 154 of masking layer 150. Cover glass 170 canbe disposed over masking layer 150.

[0166] Display module 100 comprises circular polarizing layer 160 disposed between electronic display 110 and cover glass 170. Circular polarizing layer 160 can overlap opaque region 152 of masking layer 150 and opening 154 of masking layer 150.

[0167] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, circular polarizing layer 160 can be attached to cover glass 170 via an optically clear resin 1220. In some embodiments, circular polarizing layer 160 can be directly attached to second surface 174 of cover glass 170 via optically clear resin 1220. In some embodiments, optically clear resin 1220 can have a reflectance defined by the Y component of reflectance ranging from about 0.01% to about 0.2%.

[0168] In some embodiments, as shown for example in FIG. 12, display module 100 can comprise an air gap 1210 located between electronic display 110 and circular polarizing layer 160. Electronic display 110 can be located on a first side of air gap 1210 and circular polarizinglayer 160 can be located on a second side of airgap 1210 opposite electronic display 110. In some embodiments, the circular polarizing layer 160 and maskinglay er 150 are located on the second side of air gap 1210 opposite electronic display 110. In some embodiments, circular polarizing layer 160 can be disposed between air gap 1210 and masking layer 150.

[0169] In some embodiments, air gap 1210 canbe located between second surface 164 of circular polarizing layer 160 and first surface 112 of electronic display 110. In some embodiments, lateral dimensions of air gap 1210 can be measured between second surface 164 of circular polarizing layer 160 and first surface 112 of electronic display 110. In some embodiments, minimum lateral dimension 1212 of air gap 1210 can be measured between second surface 164 of circular polarizing layer 160 and first surface 112 of electronic display 110.

[0170] In some embodiments, masking layer 150 can comprise a portion 151 disposed over second surface 164 of circular polarizing layer 160. In some embodiments, portion 151 of masking layer 150 can be disposed on second surface 164 of circular polarizing layer 160. In some embodiments, portion 151 of maskinglay er 150 can define opening 154 of maskinglayer 150. In some embodiments including portion 151, portion 151 canbe disposed between circular polarizing layer 160 and air gap 1210. [0171] In some embodiments, minimum lateral dimension 1212 of air gap 1210 can be greater than or equal to 20 microns. In some embodiments, minimum lateral dimension 1212 of air gap 1210 can be greater than or equal to 1 mm.

[0172] In some embodiments, cover glass 170 of display module 100 illustrated in FIG. 12 can comprise a curved region 176 comprising one or more curved surfaces 177 having a radius of curvature of less than or equal to 5000 mm. In some embodiments, cover glass 170 of display module 100 illustrated in FIG. 12 can comprise a curved region 176 comprising one or more curved surfaces 177 having a radius of curvature ranging from 50 mm to 5000 mm. In some embodiments, first surface 172 of cover glass 170 can comprise a curved surface 177. In some embodiments, second surface 174 of cover glass 170 can comprise a curved surface 177. In some embodiments, first surface 172 and second surface 174 of cover glass 170 can comprise a curved surface 177.

[0173] In some embodiments, circular polarizing layer 160 can be attached to curved surface 177 of second surface 174 with optically clear resin 1220. In some embodiments, circular polarizing layer 160 can be directly attached to curved surface 177 of second surface 174 with optically clear resin 1220. In some embodiments, circular polarizing layer 160 can comprise a curved region 163 comprising a curved surface 165 having a second radius of curvature of less than or equal to 5000 mm. In some embodiments, circular polarizing layer 160 can comprise a curvedregion 163 comprising a curved surface 165 having a second radius of curvature ranging from 50 mm to 5000 mm.

[0174] In some embodiments, viewing area 116 of display module 100 illustrated in FIG. 12 can have a first reflectivity and opaque region 152 of masking layer 150 can have a second reflectivity such that a color difference between the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity meets the following two requirements.

[0175] with being the color difference between the first reflectivity of

[0176] In some embodiments, viewing area 116 can have a first reflectivity and opaque region 152 of masking layer 150 can have a second reflectivity such that a color difference between the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity meets the following two requirements.

[0177] In some embodiments, cover glass 170 can comprise anti-reflection layer 190 disposed on a surface (for example, surface 172 or 174) of cover glass 170. In some embodiments, anti-reflection layer 190 can be disposed on first surface 172 of cover glass 170 and circular polarizing layer 160 canbe attached to second surface 174 of cover glass 170. [0178] In some embodiments, display module 100 can comprise a bezel 1250 disposed over first surface 172 of cover glass 170. In some embodiments, bezel 1250 can overlap a portion of opaque region 152 of masking layer 150.

[0179] As used herein the term “glass” is meant to include any material made at least partially of glass, including glass and glass-ceramics. “Glass-ceramics” include materials produced through controlled crystallization of glass. In embodiments, glass-ceramics have about 30% to about 90% crystallinity. Non-limiting examples of glass ceramic systems that may be used include Li₂O x Al₂O₃ x nSiO₂ (i.e. LAS system), MgO x Al₂O₃ x nSiO₂ (i.e. MAS system), and ZnO x Al₂O₃ x nSiO₂ (i.e. ZAS system).

[0180] While various embodiments have been described herein, they have been presented by way of example, and not limitation. It should be apparent that adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It therefore will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail can be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The elements of the embodiments presented herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, but may be interchanged to meet various situations as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art. [0181] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail herein with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to indicate identical or functionally similar elements. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “in certain embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0182] The examples are illustrative, but not limiting, of the present disclosure. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of the variety of conditions and parameters normally encountered in the field, and which would be apparent to those skilled in the art, are within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0183] The indefinite articles “a” and “an” to describe an element or component means that one or more than one of these elements or components is present. Although these articles are conventionally employedto signify thatthe modified noun is a singular noun, as used herein the articles “a” and “an” also include the plural, unless otherwise stated in specific instances. Similarly, the definite article “the,” as used herein, also signifies that the modified noun may be singular or plural, again unless otherwise stated in specific instances.

[0184] Unless specified otherwise, directional terms as used herein — for example up, down, right, left, front, back, top, bottom, inward, outward — are made only with reference to the figures as drawn and are not intended to imply absolute orientation.

[0185] As used in the claims, “comprising” is an open-ended transitional phrase. A list of elements following the transitional phrase “comprising” is a non-exclusive list, such that elements in addition to those specifically recited in the list may also be present. As used in the claims, “consisting essentially of’ or “composed essentially of’ limits the composition of a material to the specified materials and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the material. As used in the claims, “consisting of’ or “composed entirely of’ limits the composition of a material to the specified materials and excludes any material not specified.

[0186] Where a range of numerical values is recited herein, comprisingupper andlower values, unless otherwise stated in specific circumstances, the range is intended to include the endpoints thereof, and all integers and fractions within the range. It is not intended that the scope of the claims be limited to the specific values recited when defining a range. Further, when an amount, concentration, or other value or parameter is given as a range, one or more preferred ranges or a list of upper preferable values and lower preferable values, this is to be understood as specifically disclosing all ranges formed from any pair of any upper range limit or preferred value and any lower range limit or preferred value, regardless of whether such pairs are separately disclosed. Finally, when the term “about” is used in describing a value or an end-point of a range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or end-point referred to. Whether or not a numerical value or end-point of a range recites “about,” the numerical value or end-point of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by “about,” and one not modified by “about.”

[0187] As used herein, the term “about” refers to a value that is within ± 5% of the value stated. For example, about 3 MPa can include any number between 2.85 MPa and 3.15 MPa.

[0188] The present embodiment(s) have been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.

[0189] It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A display module, comprising an electronic display comprising an active display layer and viewing area; a masking layer disposed over the electronic display, the masking layer comprising an opaque region and an opening, wherein the viewing area is visible through the opening; a cover glass disposed over the masking layer; and a circular polarizing layer disposed between the electronic display and the cover glass, wherein the circular polarizing layer overlaps the opaque region of the masking layer and the opening of the masking layer, and wherein the circular polarizing layer comprises a quarter-wave plate and a linear polarizer, and wherein the electronic display does not comprise a circular polarizing layer and the display module is devoid of a second circular polarizing layer disposed between the electronic display and the cover glass.

2. The display module of claim 1 , wherein the circular polarizing layer is attached to the cover glass with an optically clear resin.

3. The display module of claim 1 or claim 2, comprising an air gap located between the electronic display and the circular polarizing layer.

4. The display module of claim 3, wherein the electronic display is located on a first side of the air gap, and wherein the circular polarizing layer and the masking layer are located on a second side of the airgap.

5. The display module of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the circular polarizing layer is disposed between the air gap and the masking layer.

6. The display module of any one of claims 3-5, wherein the airgap comprises a minimum lateral dimension of greater than or equal to 20 microns.

7. The display module of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the cover glass comprises a curved region comprising a curved surface having a radius of curvature of less than or equal to 5000 mm.

8. The display module of claim 7, wherein the circular polarizing layer is attached to the curved surface of the cover glass with an optically clear resin.

9. The display module of claim 8, wherein the circular polarizing layer comprises a curved region comprising a curved surface having a second radius of curvature of less than or equal to 5000 mm.

10. The display module of any one of claims 1-9, wherein: the viewing area comprises a first reflectivity when the display is powered off, the opaque region of the masking layer comprises a second reflectivity, and a color difference between the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity meets the following two requirements:

with being the color difference between the first reflectivity and the second

reflectivity with the specular component of the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity included, and with being the color difference between the first reflectivity and the second

reflectivity with the specular component of the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity excluded.

11. The display module of claim 10, wherein:

12. The display module of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the cover glass comprises an anti-reflection layer disposed on a surface of the cover glass.

13. The display module of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the masking layer comprises a black color.

14. The display module of any one of claims 1-13, wherein: the electronic display comprises a first linear polarizer comprising a first transmission axis, and the linear polarizer of the circular polarizing layer comprises a second transmission axis offset from the first transmission axis by an offset angle.

15. The display module of claim 14, wherein the offset angle ranges from 25 degrees to 65 degrees.

16. The display module of any one of claims 1-15, wherein the active display layer comprises: a liquid crystal layer, a light emitting diode (LED) array, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) array, a micro-LED array, or a micro-OLED array.

17. The display module of any one of claims 1-11 or 13-16, wherein the cover glass comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and an anti-reflection layer disposed on the first surface of the cover glass, and wherein the circular polarizing layer is attached to the second surface of the cover glass.

18. A display module, comprising: an electronic display comprising a viewing area and a first linear polarizer comprising a first transmission axis; a masking layer disposed over the electronic display, the masking layer comprising an opaque region and an opening, wherein the viewing area is visible through the opening; a circular polarizing layer disposed over and overlapping the opaque region of the masking layer and the opening of the masking layer, the circular polarizing layer comprising a quarter-wave plate and a second linear polarizer comprising a second transmission axis offset from the first transmission axis by an offset angle; and a cover glass disposed over the circular polarizing layer.

19. The display module of claim 18, wherein the offset angle ranges from 25 degrees to 65 degrees.

20. The display module of claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the electronic display comprises a liquid crystal display.

21. The display module of any one of claims 18-20, comprising a touch screen panel disposed over the electronic display.

22. The display module of any one of claims 18-21, wherein the electronic display comprises a top surface attached to a bottom surface of the circular polarizing layer with an optically clear resin.

23. The display module of any one of claims 18-22, wherein: the viewing area comprises a first reflectivity when the electronic display is powered off, the opaque region of the masking layer comprises a second reflectivity, and a color difference between the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity meets the following two requirements:

with being the color difference between the first reflectivity and the

second reflectivity with the specular component of the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity included, and with being the color difference between the first reflectivity and the

second reflectivity with the specular component of the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity excluded.

24. The display module of claim 23, wherein:

25. The display module of any one of claims 18-24, wherein the cover glass comprises a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and an anti-reflection layer disposed on the first surface of the cover glass, and wherein the circular polarizing layer is attached to the second surface of the cover glass.

26. The display module of any one of claims 18-25, wherein the masking layer comprises a black color.

27. The display module of any one of claims 18-25, wherein the masking layer comprises a black ink.

28. The display module of any one of claims 18-27, wherein the electronic display comprises a liquid crystal layer, wherein the first linear polarizer is disposed over the liquid crystal layer, and wherein the display module comprises a touch screen panel disposed over the first linear polarizer and attached to a surface of the first linear polarizer with an optically clear resin.

29. A display module, comprising: an electronic display comprising a viewing area; a masking layer disposed over the electronic display, the masking layer comprising an opaque region and an opening, wherein the viewing area is visible through the opening; and a cover glass disposed over the masking layer, wherein: the viewing area comprises a first reflectivity when the display is powered off, the opaque region of the masking layer comprises a second reflectivity, and a color difference between the first reflectivity and the second reflectivity meets the following two requirements:

with being the color difference between the first reflectivity and the

30. The display module of claim 29, wherein:

31. The display module of claim 29 or claim 30, comprising a circular polarizing layer disposed between the masking layer and the cover glass.

32. The display module of claim 31, wherein the circular polarizing layer is disposed over and overlaps the opaque region of the masking layer and the opening of the masking layer.

33. The display module of any one of claims 29-32, comprising a touch screen panel disposed over the electronic display.

34. The display module of any one of claims 29-33, wherein the electronic display comprises a linear polarizer.

35. The display module of any one of claims 29-34, wherein the cover glass comprises an anti-reflection layer disposed on a surface of the cover glass.

36. The display module of any one of claims 29-35, wherein the masking layer comprises a black color.