Electrochromic Visual Range Adjustment Component for Smartphone Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for reducing visual range on smartphones to prevent information stealing and peeking often compromise display brightness, affecting user experience, especially during non-privacy-related activities.
Innovation Solution
A visual range adjustment component comprising a first and second substrate with an electrolyte layer and electrochromic elements, where transparent electrodes drive the electrochromic layer to change color, allowing for reversible switching between transparent and opaque states to adjust the visual range without constant power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an anti-peeking film is added to the smartphone screen to reduce visual range, then privacy protection is improved, but display brightness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic visual range adjustment component that can switch between transparent and opaque states based on user needs. The electrochromic layer changes its light transmittance dynamically, allowing the system to adapt between wide-field mode (high brightness) and narrow-field mode (privacy protection), rather than being statically limited to one state.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the optical parameters of the display system by using an electrochromic layer that can alter its light absorption and transmission properties. By applying voltage, the electrochromic material transitions between different optical states, enabling control over visual range while maintaining display brightness when needed.
2Speed
If a privacy filter with electrochromic layer is used to achieve fast switching between wide field mode and narrow field mode, then switching speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual range adjustment component is segmented into distinct functional layers: first and second transparent substrates, electrolyte layer, electrochromic layer, and transparent conductive layers. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function independently, enabling fast switching while keeping the overall structure manageable and modular.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochromic layer serves multiple functions: it acts as the switching mechanism for visual range adjustment, provides the color change effect for privacy protection, and maintains optical transparency when not activated. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing device complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If electrochromic material is applied to change color upon electrical signal to block lateral light transmission, then privacy protection is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin film structures for the electrochromic layer and transparent conductive layers that can be deposited on flexible substrates. These thin films enable precise control over light transmission while being amenable to standard thin-film deposition techniques, balancing manufacturing precision requirements with performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite material structures combining transparent conductive oxides (such as ITO, IZO, or ZnO) with electrochromic materials. This composite approach leverages the electrical conductivity of the transparent oxide and the optical switching capability of the electrochromic material, achieving effective lateral light blocking while maintaining manufacturability through established composite material processing techniques.
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 maintains a high light transmittance in the transparent state while significantly reducing the visual range in the opaque state, enhancing privacy without compromising display brightness or user experience.
Implementation Method 1
an electrochromic layer being formed on the first transparent conductive layer along the sidewall of the wire grid and containing an electrochromic material to transmit or absorb visible light depending on whether an electrical signal is applied or not
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
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AI summary
A visual range adjustment component and a driving method thereof, a visual range adjustment device, and a display device are disclosed. The visual range adjustment component includes a first substrate (110); a second substrate (120); an electrolyte layer (130); and a plurality of electrochromic elements (200). Each of the plurality of electrochromic elements (200) includes a first transparent electrode (140), two second transparent electrodes (150) and an electrochromic layer (170); the first transparent electrode (140) is located on a side of the first substrate (110) facing the second substrate (120), and the second transparent electrode (150) is located on a side of the second substrate (120) facing the first substrate (110); the electrolyte layer (130) is arranged to be in contact with the first transparent electrode (140), the second transparent electrode (150), and the electrochromic layer (170), respectively; the first transparent electrode (140) and the two second transparent electrodes (150) respectively drive the electrochromic layer (170) to change color through the electrolyte layer (130) to adjust a visual range.