Glare Reduction Display with Liquid Crystal Pixel Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glare reduction systems either average light intensity across the viewing surface, resulting in poor detail in shadows, or require high computational power and expensive components to process and filter out high-intensity light sources effectively.
Innovation Solution
A display device with polarizing elements in parallel orientation and a liquid crystal element between them, driven by a voltage signal to regulate opacity, processes light selectively and reduces glare without a color filter, allowing for better control over visibility and detail preservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If photosensitive materials such as electro-chromic glass are used to dim bright lights, then glare reduction is achieved, but light intensity is averaged across the entire viewing surface resulting in poor detail in shadows
Solution Approach 1:
The viewing surface is divided into multiple independently controllable picture elements (pixels), allowing selective dimming of specific regions. Each pixel can be individually adjusted based on the intensity of light in that particular area, enabling glare reduction in bright regions while preserving detail in shadow regions without averaging the entire viewing surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the viewing surface are treated differently based on local light conditions. Bright areas experiencing glare are dimmed selectively, while shadow areas maintain their original visibility. This local quality approach ensures that each region is optimized for its specific lighting conditions, preserving overall scene detail while reducing harmful glare effects.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If digital image processing and active matrix screens are used to filter glare, then glare elimination is achieved, but high computational power and expensive components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The complex digital image processing and computational algorithms are extracted and replaced with a simpler optical solution using liquid crystal picture elements that respond directly to light intensity. This extraction eliminates the need for high computational power and expensive processing components while maintaining effective glare filtering capability through direct optical modulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical and computational system (cameras, processors, algorithms) is replaced with an optical-electrical system using liquid crystal picture elements that can be directly controlled by voltage signals corresponding to light intensity. This substitution simplifies the overall system by replacing complex computational mechanics with direct optical control.
3Illumination intensity
If intense spot lights are used to focus lighting over large distance, then visibility range is improved, but oncoming high-beam headlights cause glare that blocks shadowy regions
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful glare from oncoming headlights is converted into a useful signal by using the light-sensitive picture elements to detect the intensity and position of the glare source. This detection information is then used to selectively dim only the affected regions, transforming the harmful glare into a controllable parameter that can be managed to preserve visibility while maintaining the benefits of intense lighting for distance viewing.
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
The solution effectively reduces glare from high-intensity light sources while maintaining detail in shadows, reducing computational complexity and costs, and achieving significant brightness reduction for bright lights like oncoming headlights without affecting traffic light colors significantly.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the picture elements includes a pair of spaced apart polarizing elements in substantially parallel orientation with respect to each other and a liquid crystal element disposed between the polarizing elements. A display driver is configured to selectively provide a voltage signal to one or more of the picture elements in order to regulate the opacity of the display device.
Implementation Method 2
Each of the picture elements includes a pair of spaced apart polarizing elements in substantially parallel orientation with respect to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A glare reduction system is disclosed including a display device configured for placement in a line of sight of an object. The display device includes a plurality of picture elements without a color filter. Each of the picture elements have a pair of spaced apart polarizing elements in substantially parallel orientation with respect to each other, and a liquid crystal element between the polarizing elements. An imaging source is provided to receive light from the object. The glare reduction system further includes a display driver to process the received light to generate a voltage signal, and selectively provide the voltage signal to one or more of the picture elements in order to regulate the opacity of the display device.