Display devices and electronic devices

Abstract

The present invention provides a display device and electronic device that can suppress peeping and surreptitious photography in areas where light cannot be blocked in a narrow viewing angle mode. [Solution] The display device includes a display panel 111 and a viewing angle control liquid crystal panel 112 attached to the display panel 111. The viewing angle control liquid crystal panel 112 includes a first substrate 10 on which a first electrode film 12 is formed, a second substrate 20 on which a second electrode film 22 is formed, a liquid crystal layer 30 disposed between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20, and a viewing angle switching unit 32 that changes the orientation state of liquid crystal molecules 31 contained in the liquid crystal layer 30 by applying a voltage between the first electrode film 12 and the second electrode film 22, thereby switching the display mode of the display panel 111 between a narrow viewing angle mode and a wide viewing angle mode. An opening 12a is formed in at least one of the first electrode film 12 and the second electrode film 22, and the opening 12a displays a logo 113 in the narrow viewing angle mode due to the difference in brightness with the surroundings.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device and an electronic device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a display device (privacy display) having a spatial light modulator. This display device includes a spatial light modulator including a layer of addressable pixels, a display polarizer which is a linear polarizer disposed on the spatial light modulator side, and a guest-host liquid crystal retarder including a liquid crystal layer containing a guest material and a host material.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above display device changes the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules by an electric field, controls the viewing angle of the screen, and suppresses peeping and secretly taking pictures from the horizontal direction or the diagonal direction. However, even if the viewing angle of the display device is controlled, light cannot be blocked up to a certain angle, so there is room for improvement in suppressing peeping and secretly taking pictures.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a display device and an electronic device capable of suppressing peeping and secretly taking pictures in a range where light cannot be blocked in a narrow viewing angle mode. [[ID=太41]]

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a display device according to one embodiment includes a display panel and a viewing angle control liquid crystal panel attached to the display panel, the viewing angle control liquid crystal panel comprising a first substrate on which a first electrode film is formed, a second substrate on which a second electrode film is formed, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a viewing angle switching unit that changes the orientation state of liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal layer by applying a voltage between the first electrode film and the second electrode film, thereby switching the display mode of the display panel between a narrow viewing angle mode and a wide viewing angle mode, the display device comprising an opening formed in at least one of the first electrode film and the second electrode film, the opening causing a logo to be displayed by the difference in brightness with the surroundings when in the narrow viewing angle mode.

[0007] In the above-described display device, the logo may not be displayed within the narrow viewing angle range set in the narrow viewing angle mode, but may be displayed outside the narrow viewing angle range.

[0008] In the above-described display device, the logo, when in the narrow viewing angle mode, is not displayed within the narrow viewing angle range set in the narrow viewing angle mode, but is displayed within the non-shading range outside the narrow viewing angle range, and does not need to be displayed within the shading range further outside the non-shading range.

[0009] In the above-described display device, the logo may include a string of characters indicating that it is in the narrow viewing angle mode.

[0010] In the above-described display device, the logo may be displayed in a matrix arrangement in multiple locations.

[0011] Furthermore, the electronic device according to one embodiment includes the above-mentioned display device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, peeping and surreptitious photography can be suppressed in the range where light cannot be blocked in the narrow viewing angle mode. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a front view of an electronic device in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the electronic device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing how the display unit appears in narrow viewing angle mode in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal panel for viewing angle control in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a plan view of the first electrode film in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal panel for viewing angle control in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal panel for viewing angle control in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows the viewing angle, brightness, and brightness difference in the narrow viewing angle mode of the display unit in one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 is a front view of electronic device 1 in one embodiment of the present invention. Electronic device 1 is, for example, a notebook (clamshell) PC (Personal Computer). Electronic device 1 comprises a display unit 110 (display device), an input device 150, and a hinge mechanism (not shown) connecting the display unit 110 and the input device 150. The display unit 110 is mounted to the input device 150 by the hinge mechanism so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the left-right direction.

[0016] The display unit 110 is also called an A cover or a display housing. The input device 150 is also called a C cover or a system housing. The electronic device 1 is deformable between a closed state in which the display unit 110 and the input device 150 overlap and an open state in which the display unit 110 and the input device 150 are open. The electronic device 1 shown in FIG. 1 shows an example of the open state. Note that the range of the opening angle in the open state can be arbitrarily determined within the range rotatable by the hinge mechanism.

[0017] The display unit 110 is provided with a display panel 111 and a liquid crystal panel 112 for controlling the viewing angle. The display panel 111 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The liquid crystal panel 112 for controlling the viewing angle is attached to the display screen of the display panel 111 and controls the viewing angle. The liquid crystal panel 112 for controlling the viewing angle is also called an MCB (Electronically Controlled Birefringence) panel.

[0018] The input device 150 is provided with a keyboard 151 and a touch pad 153 for receiving user operation inputs. Note that, as the input device, instead of or in addition to the keyboard 151 and the touch pad 153, a touch sensor may be provided, or a mouse or an external keyboard may be connected. In the case of a configuration provided with a touch sensor, a region corresponding to the display screen of the display unit 110 may be configured as a touch panel that receives operations. Note that in the closed state, the above-described display panel 111, the liquid crystal panel 112 for controlling the viewing angle, the keyboard 151, and the touch pad 153 are covered by each other's housings.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment. The electronic device 1 comprises a display unit 110, a power button 140, an input device 150, a communication unit 160, a storage unit 170, an EC200 (Embedded Controller), a main processing unit 300, and a power supply unit 400.

[0020] The display unit 110 displays display data (images) generated based on system processing performed by the main processing unit 300 and processing by application programs running on the system processing on the display panel 111. It also controls the viewing angle control liquid crystal panel 112 to switch the display mode of the display panel 111 between a narrow viewing angle mode and a wide viewing angle mode. The narrow viewing angle mode is also called privacy mode. The wide viewing angle mode is also called share mode.

[0021] The power button 140 outputs an operation signal to the EC200 in response to user operation. The input device 150 is an input unit that receives user input and includes, for example, a keyboard 151 and a touchpad 153. The input device 150 outputs an operation signal indicating the content of the operation to the EC200 in response to operation on the keyboard 151 and the touchpad 153.

[0022] The communication unit 160 connects to other devices via a wireless or wired communication network and transmits and receives various types of data. For example, the communication unit 160 is configured to include a wired LAN interface such as Ethernet® and a wireless LAN interface such as Wi-Fi®.

[0023] The storage unit 170 is comprised of storage media such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and flash ROM. The storage unit 170 stores various programs such as the OS, device drivers, and applications, as well as various data acquired through the operation of these programs.

[0024] The power supply unit 400 supplies power to each part of the electronic device 1 according to its operating state. The power supply unit 400 is equipped with a DC (Direct Current) / DC converter. The DC / DC converter converts the voltage of the DC power supplied from an AC (Alternate Current) / DC adapter or a battery (battery pack) to the voltage required by each part. The power whose voltage has been converted by the DC / DC converter is supplied to each part via each power supply system. For example, the power supply unit 400 supplies power to each part via each power supply system based on the control signal input from the EC200.

[0025] The EC200 is a microcomputer comprising a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and I / O (Input / Output) logic circuits. The EC200's CPU reads a control program (firmware) pre-stored in its ROM, executes the read control program, and performs its functions. The EC200 operates independently of the main processing unit 300, controlling the operation of the main processing unit 300 and managing its operating state. The EC200 is also connected to the power button 140, input device 150, and power supply unit 400, etc.

[0026] For example, the EC200 communicates with the power supply unit 400 to obtain information about the battery status (such as remaining capacity) from the power supply unit 400, and outputs control signals to the power supply unit 400 to control the power supply according to the operating status of each part of the electronic device 1. The EC200 also obtains operation signals from the power button 140 and the input device 150, and outputs operation signals related to the processing of the main processing unit 300 to the main processing unit 300.

[0027] The main processing unit 300 is comprised of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 302, a chipset 303, and system memory 304, and is capable of executing various application programs on the OS (Operating System) through system processing based on the OS.

[0028] The CPU301 is a processor that performs processes based on BIOS programs, OS programs, and application programs running on the OS. For example, the CPU301 performs startup processes that wake the system from a standby state and transition it to a normal operating state, and sleep processes that transition it from a normal operating state to a standby state.

[0029] The GPU 302 is connected to the display unit 110. The GPU 302 performs image processing based on the control of the CPU 301 and generates display data. The GPU 302 outputs the generated display data to the display unit 110.

[0030] The chipset 303 has functions as a memory controller and an I / O controller. For example, the chipset 303 controls the reading and writing of data from the system memory 304 and storage unit 170 by the CPU 301 and GPU 302. The chipset 303 also controls the input and output of data from the communication unit 160, display unit 110, and EC200. The system memory 304 is used as a reading area for programs executed by the CPU 301 and as a work area for writing processing data.

[0031] The CPU 301, GPU 302, and chipset 303 may be configured as a single integrated processor, or they may be configured as individual processors, either partially or individually. For example, in normal operation, the CPU 301, GPU 302, and chipset 303 are all operational, but in standby mode, only at least a portion of the chipset 303 is operational.

[0032] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing how the display unit 110 appears in a narrow viewing angle mode in one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, in narrow viewing angle mode, when the display unit 110 is viewed from the front (for example, when a reference line is defined extending in the normal direction from the center of the display screen of the display unit 110, and the angle with respect to the reference line in the horizontal plane containing the reference line is 0°), the entire screen appears bright.

[0033] Furthermore, in narrow viewing angle mode, when the display unit 110 is viewed from an oblique angle (for example, when the angle with respect to the reference line is 40°), parts of the screen become dark and parts remain bright, and the logo 113 is displayed due to the difference in brightness between these parts. The logo 113 (the part that remains bright) is like a window, and the display screen can be partially viewed through the logo 113. Moreover, in narrow viewing angle mode, when the display unit 110 is viewed from approximately the side (for example, when the angle with respect to the reference line is 60°), the entire screen becomes dark, and the logo 113 disappears.

[0034] In other words, when in narrow viewing angle mode, Logo 113 is not displayed within the narrow viewing angle range set for narrow viewing angle mode (for example, viewing angle of 45° or less (angle within ±22.5° relative to the reference line)), is displayed within the non-shading range outside the narrow viewing angle range (for example, viewing angle greater than 45° and 90° or less), and is not displayed within the shading range further outside the non-shading range (for example, greater than 90° and 180° or less).

[0035] The non-shading range is the viewing angle between the narrow viewing angle range and the shading range, and refers to the range where shading is insufficient to prevent peeking at the display screen or surreptitious photography. Note that the logo 113 does not need to be displayed in wide viewing angle mode. Switching between wide viewing angle mode and narrow viewing angle mode can be done, for example, by operating a shortcut key on the keyboard 151 of the input device 150. The wide viewing angle set in wide viewing angle mode only needs to be wider than the narrow viewing angle set in narrow viewing angle mode, for example, the viewing angle is set to be between 90° and 180°.

[0036] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal panel 112 for viewing angle control in one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 4, the viewing angle control liquid crystal panel 112 is attached to the display screen of the display panel 111. The viewing angle control liquid crystal panel 112 comprises a first substrate 10, a second substrate 20, a liquid crystal layer 30, and a viewing angle switching unit 32.

[0037] The first substrate 10 comprises a first substrate 11, a first electrode film 12, and a first polarizing plate 13. The first substrate 11 is formed from an insulating transparent substrate such as glass. The first electrode film 12 is formed on the upper surface (the surface facing the liquid crystal layer 30) of the first substrate 11. The first electrode film 12 is formed from a transparent electrode such as an ITO film (Indium Tin Oxide).

[0038] The first polarizing plate 13 is positioned on the lower surface of the first substrate 11 (the surface facing the display panel 111). The first polarizing plate 13 allows only light vibrating in a specific direction to pass through from the light incident from the display panel 111. In addition to the first substrate 11, the first electrode film 12, and the first polarizing plate 13, the first substrate 10 may also include an alignment film (not shown) that controls the initial orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules 31 in the state where no voltage is applied.

[0039] The second substrate 20 comprises a second substrate 21, a second electrode film 22, and a second polarizing plate 23. The second substrate 21 is formed from an insulating transparent substrate such as glass. The second electrode film 22 is formed on the lower surface of the second substrate 21 (the surface facing the liquid crystal layer 30). The second electrode film 22 is formed from a transparent electrode such as an ITO film (Indium Tin Oxide).

[0040] The second polarizing plate 23 is positioned on the upper surface of the second substrate 21 (the surface facing away from the liquid crystal layer 30). The second polarizing plate 23 allows only light vibrating in a specific direction to pass through the liquid crystal layer 30. In addition to the second substrate 21, the second electrode film 22, and the second polarizing plate 23, the second substrate 20 may also include an alignment film (not shown) that controls the initial orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules 31 when no voltage is applied.

[0041] The liquid crystal layer 30 is positioned between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20. The viewing angle switching unit 32, under the control of the main processing unit 300 (see Figure 2), applies a voltage between the first electrode film 12 and the second electrode film 22 to change the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecules 31 contained in the liquid crystal layer 30, thereby switching the display mode of the display panel 111 between a narrow viewing angle mode and a wide viewing angle mode.

[0042] In Figure 3, the initial orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules 31 in the no-voltage state and the orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules 31 in the voltage-applied state are shown by solid and dotted lines, respectively. However, these orientation directions are just examples and are not limited to those shown. Furthermore, the no-voltage state is, for example, a wide-viewing-angle mode, and the voltage-applied state is, for example, a narrow-viewing-angle mode. However, the relationship between no-voltage and applied voltage, and the narrow and wide viewing angles, may be reversed.

[0043] As shown in Figure 4, the first electrode film 12 has an opening 12a that penetrates in the thickness direction. Liquid crystal molecules 31A that are not located in the region overlapping with the opening 12a change their orientation state between the no-voltage and voltage-applied state (shown by solid and dotted lines). On the other hand, liquid crystal molecules 31B located in the region overlapping with the opening 12a do not change their orientation state between the no-voltage and voltage-applied state. The opening 12a displays the logo 113 in the narrow viewing angle mode due to the difference in brightness with the surroundings. In this embodiment, the opening 12a is provided on the first electrode film 12 side, but the opening may also be provided on the second electrode film 22 side, or both the first electrode film 12 and the second electrode film 22 may have openings.

[0044] Figure 5 is a plan view of the first electrode film 12 in one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5, the first electrode film 12 has an opening 12a in the shape of a logo 113. The logo 113 forms a string of characters (logo 113) indicating that it is in narrow viewing angle mode. In this embodiment, the logo 113 is "Privacy Mode". Multiple instances of this logo 113 are formed in a matrix pattern over almost the entire surface of the first electrode film 12 (display screen). Note that the logo 113 may also be a string of characters such as "No Voyeurism", a graphic that signifies the prohibition of peeping or voyeurism, or a combination of string of characters and a graphic.

[0045] Figures 6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams illustrating a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal panel 112 for viewing angle control according to one embodiment of the present invention. First, as shown in Figure 6(a), a first substrate 10 is prepared. Next, as shown in Figure 6(b), a resist film 40 is formed on the first electrode film 12 of the first substrate 10. Then, as shown in Figure 6(c), a mask 50 having an opening 51 is placed on the resist film 40 and the resist film 40 is exposed. Finally, as shown in Figure 6(d), an opening pattern 41 forming an opening 12a is developed on the resist film 40.

[0046] Next, as shown in Figure 7(a), the first electrode film 12 is etched through the resist film 40 to form an opening 12a in the first electrode film 12. Then, as shown in Figure 7(b), a liquid crystal layer 30 is formed on the first electrode film 12 including the opening 12a. Finally, as shown in Figure 7(c), the second substrate 20 is placed on the resist film 40. Lastly, as shown in Figure 7, the viewing angle switching unit 32 is connected to the first electrode film 12 and the second electrode film 22 to manufacture the above-described viewing angle control liquid crystal panel 112.

[0047] Figure 8 shows the viewing angle, brightness, and brightness difference of the display unit 110 in a narrow viewing angle mode in one embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 8, "w / o ITO area" refers to the brightness [cd / m²] of the portion where the aperture 12a is formed. 2 This indicates the luminance [cd / m²] of the area where the aperture 12a is not formed. 2 This indicates [...]. As shown in Figure 8, as the viewing angle of the display unit 110 changes from 0° to 70°, the brightness of "w / o ITO area" and "w / ITO area" decreases, but the rate of decrease in brightness of "w / o ITO area" is less than the rate of decrease in brightness of "w / ITO area". This creates a brightness difference between "w / o ITO area" and "w / ITO area", allowing the logo 113 to be displayed.

[0048] As described above, the display unit 110 of this embodiment includes a display panel 111 and a viewing angle control liquid crystal panel 112 attached to the display panel 111. The viewing angle control liquid crystal panel 112 includes a first substrate 10 on which a first electrode film 12 is formed, a second substrate 20 on which a second electrode film 22 is formed, a liquid crystal layer 30 disposed between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20, and a viewing angle switching unit 32 that changes the orientation state of liquid crystal molecules 31 contained in the liquid crystal layer 30 by applying a voltage between the first electrode film 12 and the second electrode film 22, thereby switching the display mode of the display panel 111 between a narrow viewing angle mode and a wide viewing angle mode. An opening 12a is formed in at least one of the first electrode film 12 and the second electrode film 22, and the opening 12a displays a logo 113 in the narrow viewing angle mode due to the difference in brightness with the surroundings. With this configuration, peeping and surreptitious photography in the range where light cannot be blocked in the narrow viewing angle mode can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the area where the logo 113 is formed lacks the first electrode film 12, the driving area is reduced, enabling low power consumption.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when in narrow viewing angle mode, the logo 113 is not displayed within the narrow viewing angle range set in narrow viewing angle mode, but is displayed outside the narrow viewing angle range. With this configuration, the logo 113 is not visible to a user who is looking at the display screen of the display unit 110 from the front, so it does not interfere with the user's work. On the other hand, the logo 113 is visible to a third party who is looking at the display screen of the display unit 110 from an oblique or side direction, thus preventing peeping and surreptitious photography.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when in narrow viewing angle mode, the logo 113 is not displayed within the narrow viewing angle range set in narrow viewing angle mode, is displayed within the non-shading range outside the narrow viewing angle range, and is not displayed within the shading range further outside the non-shading range. Since the logo 113 is like a window that allows partial viewing of the display screen, preventing the logo 113 from being displayed in the shading range can suppress peeping and surreptitious photography from the logo 113.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the logo 113 includes a string of characters indicating that it is in narrow-viewing-angle mode. This configuration allows for warning or suggesting to a third party that it is in narrow-viewing-angle mode (privacy mode).

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the logo 113 is displayed in a matrix pattern. With this configuration, the entire screen of the display unit 110 is obscured by the logo 113, thereby effectively deterring peeping and surreptitious photography.

[0053] Furthermore, the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment includes the display unit 110. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress peeping and surreptitious photography in the range where light cannot be blocked in narrow viewing angle mode.

[0054] Although embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to the embodiments described above, and include designs and the like that do not depart from the spirit of this invention. The configurations described in the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily as long as they do not contradict each other.

[0055] For example, while a notebook PC was used as an example of an electronic device, the present invention can also be applied to tablet devices, mobile devices, monitors, and other displays. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 1 Electronic equipment 10. First board 11 First base material 12 First electrode film 12a opening 13. First polarizing plate 20 Second board 21 Second base material 22 Second electrode film 23. Second polarizing plate 30 liquid crystal layers 31 Liquid Crystal Molecules 31A liquid crystal molecule 31B Liquid crystal molecules 32 Viewing Angle Switching Section 40 Resist film 41 Opening Patterns 50 masks 51 Aperture 110 Display section 111 Display Panel 112 LCD panel for viewing angle control 113 Logo 140 Power button 150 Input Devices 151 keyboard 153 Touchpad 160 Communications Department 170 Storage section 300 Main Processing Unit 303 Chipset 304 System Memory 400 Power supply section

Claims

1. Display panel and The display panel includes a liquid crystal panel for controlling the viewing angle, The aforementioned liquid crystal panel for controlling the viewing angle is A first substrate on which a first electrode film is formed, A second substrate on which a second electrode film is formed, A liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, The display panel includes a viewing angle switching unit that changes the orientation state of liquid crystal molecules contained in the liquid crystal layer by applying a voltage between the first electrode film and the second electrode film, thereby switching the display mode of the display panel between a narrow viewing angle mode and a wide viewing angle mode. An opening is formed in at least one of the first electrode film and the second electrode film. The aforementioned aperture, in the narrow viewing angle mode, displays a logo based on the difference in brightness with the surroundings. The aforementioned logo, when in the narrow viewing angle mode, is not displayed within the narrow viewing angle range set in the narrow viewing angle mode, is displayed within the non-shading range outside the narrow viewing angle range, and is not displayed within the shading range further outside the non-shading range. The non-shading range is a viewing angle intermediate between the narrow viewing angle range and the shading range, and is a range in which the shading of the display panel is insufficient. Display device.

2. The logo includes a string of characters indicating that it is in the narrow viewing angle mode. The display device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned logo is displayed in multiple locations in a matrix. A display device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A display device according to claim 1 or 2, electronic equipment.

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