Directional Display Sub-Pixel Polarization for Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
When mobile devices are used in public spaces, private information can be inadvertently exposed to strangers due to the lack of effective screen protection methods that do not compromise light transmittance.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a first transparent display and a second display, controlled by a circuit that determines the relative position between them, allowing information to be displayed differently based on the viewer's position, ensuring private data is visible only from the front and obscured from the side.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If polarizing films are attached to the screen to prevent side viewing, then data visibility from the front is improved, but light transmittance deteriorates and the screen appears dim
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is divided into multiple sub-pixels (red, green, blue) with different polarization directions. Each sub-pixel is oriented at a different angle (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°) to create directional visibility control without requiring a single polarizing film layer that would block all light.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display (different sub-pixels) have different polarization properties tailored to their specific function. The red, green, and blue sub-pixels have distinct polarization orientations optimized for their respective color channels, allowing selective visibility control at different locations rather than a uniform approach.
2Loss of information
If polarizing films are attached to the screen to prevent side viewing, then information security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The polarization control function is merged with the existing sub-pixel structure of the LCD display. Instead of adding separate polarizing films as additional layers, the polarization orientation is integrated into the design of the red, green, and blue sub-pixels themselves, combining security functionality with the display's inherent structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The display structure itself provides the security function through its sub-pixel arrangement. The different polarization orientations of the sub-pixels inherently create the anti-side-viewing effect without requiring external polarizing films or additional security components, making the display structure serve both display and security purposes.
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
This solution effectively protects private information from side views while maintaining normal visibility from the front, addressing the issue of information exposure without deteriorating light transmittance.
Implementation Method 1
A known technique for preventing such exposure is to attach polarizing films to the screens of the electronic devices. Such polarizing films may allow data to be seen well when viewed directly from the front of the electronic devices, while preventing the data from being seen when viewed from the electronic devices' sides.
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments, an apparatus is provided, including: a first display and a second display and a control circuit operatively coupled to the first display and the second display. The control unit is configured to perform operations including determining a relative position between the first display and the second display, and displaying information for presenting to a user via at least one of the first display or the second display, based on the relative position. Other embodiments are possible.