Autostereoscopic Display Light Blocking Arrangement for Privacy Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autostereoscopic displays with lenticular lens arrays face issues with privacy mode switching and light efficiency, as existing solutions either reduce image resolution or introduce ghost images and eavesdropping concerns due to cone repetition and limited viewing angles.

Innovation Solution

A light blocking arrangement with switchable elements between lenses allows for configurable privacy and public modes, maintaining full display resolution and brightness by selectively blocking light between lenses, using a combination of polarizers and retarders to control light polarization and transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a lenticular lens array is used to provide wide viewing angle, then the viewing angle is improved, but privacy is compromised due to eavesdropping concerns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing angleVSAvoidprivacy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a switchable light blocking arrangement that can dynamically change between transparent and opaque states. This dynamic element allows the display to adapt its viewing characteristics - providing wide viewing angle when privacy is not needed, and limiting viewing angle when privacy is required, thus resolving the contradiction between viewing angle and privacy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple views are displayed simultaneously to improve 3D impression, then the 3D effect is improved, but image resolution is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve3D impressionVSAvoidimage resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic switching between different display modes - a 3D mode with multiple views for enhanced 3D impression, and a 2D mode with full resolution when 3D effect is not needed. The light blocking arrangement is controlled to enable/disable cone repetition based on the desired mode, allowing the system to adapt between competing requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If light blocking elements are added between lenses to enable privacy mode, then privacy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveprivacyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the light blocking arrangement into the existing lenticular lens structure, where the same optical components serve multiple functions - both as light directing elements and as controllable privacy elements. The light blocking arrangement is incorporated within the lens array structure itself, allowing privacy functionality to be added without requiring entirely separate components, thus limiting the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables switchable privacy mode without reducing output brightness or image resolution, limiting the viewing angle to a single cone in privacy mode while maintaining full resolution and efficiency in public mode, addressing issues of eavesdropping and cone repetition.

Implementation Method 1

using a combination of polarizers and retarders to control light polarization and transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 2

using a combination of polarizers and retarders to control light polarization and transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical retardation: Birefringence

Implementation Method 3

an array of elongate lenticular elements can be provided extending parallel to one another and overlying the display pixel array, and the display pixels are observed through these lenticular elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP2856760B1Autostereoscopic display device and driving method
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP2856760B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2856760B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2856760B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides an autostereoscopic display device in which a light blocking arrangement is provided for selectively blocking light which has or would pass between lenses. Elements are provided between adjacent lens locations, and the display can be configured so that light reaching these elements is either allowed to reach the viewer or is blocked from reaching the viewer. This means that a public (multiple cone) viewing mode can be chosen or a private (single narrow viewing cone) viewing mode.