Dual Image Generator Display for Privacy Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display technologies face challenges in switching between wide and narrow viewing angles without significant loss of brightness, complexity, or expense, and often fail to provide simultaneous control in multiple directions, which is necessary for privacy in various applications.
Innovation Solution
A method and display screen design utilizing a first image generator for restricted viewing and a second image generator that is partially transparent and adapted to deflect a high percentage of light, allowing for switching between viewing modes with minimal light scattering and maintaining privacy by controlling light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single image generator is used with switching mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide simultaneous multi-directional privacy control is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The display system is segmented into two independent image generators (first and second image generators), each capable of operating autonomously. This segmentation allows simultaneous presentation of different image contents in different viewing directions, enabling multi-directional privacy control while maintaining relatively simple individual component structures
Solution Approach 2:
The second image generator is designed with dual functionality: it can operate independently to provide unrestricted viewing, and simultaneously serve as a privacy filter for the first image generator. This multi-functionality enables the system to achieve versatile privacy control without requiring entirely separate systems for each function
2Ease of operation
If complex optical elements are used to switch between viewing modes, then viewing angle control is improved, but light loss increases and brightness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The second image generator utilizes optical properties (such as liquid crystal molecular orientation changes) that affect light transmission and scattering without requiring complex mechanical switching elements. This approach maintains high brightness by avoiding light-losing mechanical components while still achieving effective viewing angle control through optical property modulation
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex mechanical switching mechanisms that physically block or redirect light, the system uses a second image generator that optically copies or replicates the privacy filtering function through controlled light scattering and transmission, thereby maintaining brightness while achieving viewing angle control
3Adaptability or versatility
If polymerizate scattering particles are used in the light guide, then privacy effect is achieved, but light is outcoupled in wrong directions and brightness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the privacy filtering function from the light guide structure itself and places it in a separate second image generator layer. This separation allows the light guide to maintain high light transmission efficiency without scattering particles, while the second image generator provides the necessary privacy effect through controlled optical properties
Solution Approach 2:
The second image generator acts as an intermediary layer between the light source and the viewer, providing privacy control without interfering with the primary light transmission path. This intermediary approach allows useful light to pass through efficiently while still achieving the desired privacy effect when needed
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 a simple, effective switch between restricted and unrestricted viewing modes with minimal brightness loss, providing privacy control in multiple directions and allowing different images to be presented to different angles, suitable for applications like vehicles and mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
the second image generator is adapted to deflect, on at least 50% of its surface, at least 90% of the light passed by it, by maximally 10°
Implementation Method 2
scatters only a negligible portion of the light originating from the first image generator
Data Source
AI summary
A method for presenting image content in two operating modes, B1 for a viewing mode with a restricted viewing angle, and B2 for a viewing mode with an unrestricted viewing angle, comprising: providing a first image generator radiating image content into a restricted viewing angle; providing a second image generator radiating image content into an unrestricted viewing angle, wherein the second generator is in front of the first, and is partially transparent to light from the first, and deflects, on at least 50% of its surface, at least 90% of the light passed by it, by maximally 10°; switching on the first generator to start mode B1, wherein the second generator is switched to a transparent state and scatters only a negligible portion of light from the first generator, to retain the restricted viewing angle; and switching on the second generator to start mode B2.