Electronic Privacy Shutter for Liquid Crystal Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical shutters in display devices with wide field of view cameras require larger openings, increasing the display bezel size and complicating system design, while also consuming more power and increasing complexity due to separate control systems for display and non-display regions.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal display with a non-display region that can operate in a diffuse or transmissive state, allowing independent control of voltages applied to electrodes in the display and non-display regions, using polyimide layers and liquid crystal molecules to scatter or transmit light based on voltage thresholds, providing an electronic privacy shutter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a mechanical shutter is used to block light for privacy, then user privacy is protected, but the display bezel size increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical shutter system with an electronic privacy shutter using liquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal layer changes its optical properties from scattered (privacy protected) to transmitted (clear view) state through voltage application, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts and separate control systems while maintaining privacy protection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of liquid crystal molecules from a scattered light state to a transmitted light state by applying voltage. This parameter change in the molecular alignment state allows the same structure to provide both privacy protection and clear viewing without requiring separate mechanical shutter components
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a mechanical shutter is used to block light for privacy, then user privacy is protected, but the display bezel size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the privacy shutter functionality with the existing liquid crystal display structure. The liquid crystal layer serves dual purposes: displaying images in the display region and providing privacy protection in the non-display region, eliminating the need for separate mechanical shutter components that would increase bezel size
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate control systems are used for display and non-display regions, then independent control is achieved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the liquid crystal layer multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as the display element and as the privacy shutter mechanism. The same liquid crystal molecules that display images can be independently controlled to provide privacy protection, eliminating the need for separate control systems and reducing overall power consumption
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
Reduces the display bezel size, simplifies system architecture, and provides user privacy by default with blurry images, transitioning to clear images when voltage is applied, enhancing image quality and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
liquid crystal molecules in the non-display region scatter light that propagates in the non-display region
Implementation Method 2
light that propagates in the non-display region can pass through the liquid crystal molecules in the non-display region
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a liquid crystal layer comprising a first region and a second region. The first region comprises a first plurality of liquid crystal molecules in a first state and the second region comprises a second plurality of liquid crystal molecules in a second state different from the first state. The apparatus also includes a camera positioned to receive light propagating through the second region, a first driver circuit configured to apply a first set of voltages to a first set of electrodes in the first region, and a second driver circuit configured to apply a second set of voltages to a second set of electrodes in the second region.