Liquid Crystal Display Panel Switching Viewing Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices lack a practical method to switch seamlessly between wide and narrow viewing angles, with current solutions either inefficient in light usage, bulky, or requiring moving parts, and often compromising privacy or brightness in public mode.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal display panel with circuitry that switches between two configurations: a wide viewing angle mode and a narrow viewing angle mode, using in-plane electrodes to control liquid crystal orientations and provide a confusing pattern for off-axis viewers in private mode, without additional optical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a light control film is mounted on the display to provide private mode, then viewing angle is restricted, but the display requires moving parts that may fail or be damaged and adds significant bulk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light control function from a separate mounted film and integrates it directly into the liquid crystal display panel structure. The liquid crystal layer itself performs the light control function, eliminating the need for external light control films and their associated mounting mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity and bulk while maintaining viewing angle restriction capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the light control function with the liquid crystal display panel by using the liquid crystal layer's inherent properties to control light transmission. This integration combines the display function and light control function into a single unified component, eliminating the need for separate light control films and reducing overall device complexity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a light control film is used to restrict viewing angles, then privacy is improved, but light is absorbed significantly reducing display efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the liquid crystal layer by applying voltage to alter its molecular orientation. This parameter change enables the liquid crystal to switch between transparent and opaque states, providing privacy control without the significant light absorption associated with traditional light control films, thereby improving display efficiency
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a diffuser is switched on to provide public mode, then viewing angle is widened, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid crystal display panel utilizes the inherent electro-optic properties of the liquid crystal layer to control light transmission. The panel serves its own light control function without requiring additional diffusers or external optical components, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining wide viewing angle capability in public mode
4Object-affected harmful factors
If liquid crystal is switched between configurations to change viewing angle, then privacy control is achieved, but on-axis performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different liquid crystal orientations in different regions of the display. By carefully controlling the liquid crystal alignment in specific areas, the patent achieves privacy control for off-axis viewing while maintaining optimal on-axis performance through preserved liquid crystal orientation in the central viewing region
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 efficient light usage, compact design, and effective privacy control by ensuring the display is only visible from a narrow range of angles in private mode, while maintaining visibility from a wide range in public mode, without compromising on-axis performance.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image by spatial light modulation
Implementation Method 2
displaying an image by spatial light modulation
Implementation Method 3
circuitry for switching liquid crystal in the panel between having a first configuration in a first mode
Data Source
AI summary
A display device is provided that comprises a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image by spatial light modulation, and circuitry for switching liquid crystal in the panel between having a first configuration in a first mode to cause an image displayed using the panel to be discernible from a wide range of viewing angles, and having a second configuration in a second mode to cause an image displayed using the panel to be discernible substantially only from within a narrow range of viewing angles. Several types of display panel to achieve such in-panel switching between public and private viewing modes are disclosed.