Liquid Crystal Viewing Angle Control for Driver Distraction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display apparatuses disperse images to unintended viewers, leading to potential accidents due to gaze dispersion, particularly in vehicles where drivers may be distracted by displayed content.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus with a viewing angle control unit that includes a first lower electrode, a control liquid crystal layer with liquid crystal particles, and a first upper electrode, allowing switching between wide and narrow viewing angles based on applied voltage, obliquely arranging liquid crystal particles to limit the viewing angle in narrow mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the display apparatus uses a conventional wide viewing angle design, then more people can view the image, but unintended viewers including drivers may be distracted causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic viewing angle control system that can switch between wide and narrow viewing angles based on operational context. The viewing angle control unit adjusts the liquid crystal particle orientation in real-time, transitioning from a wide viewing angle state during normal operation to a narrow viewing angle state when safety concerns are detected, thereby dynamically adapting the display's light emission characteristics to prevent driver distraction while maintaining accessibility when safe.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the viewing angle is limited to prevent distraction, then safety is improved, but the display becomes less accessible to multiple viewers
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the viewing angle parameter based on operational context. During normal operation, the display maintains a wide viewing angle to allow multiple passengers to view the content. When the system detects that the vehicle is in motion or that driver safety may be compromised, it automatically transitions to a narrow viewing angle mode, thereby dynamically balancing accessibility with safety requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the display apparatus provides images to multiple people, then the display is more useful, but it may cause accidents due to driver distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic safety mechanism that monitors operational context and adjusts the viewing angle accordingly. When the vehicle is stationary or in a safe context, the display maintains wide viewing angle capability to serve multiple passengers. When motion is detected or safety conditions deteriorate, the system automatically transitions to narrow viewing angle mode, thereby dynamically preserving safety while maintaining multi-viewer capability when appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The viewing angle control unit acts as an intermediary between the back-light unit and the liquid crystal panel, mediating the light emission to control which viewers can see the display. This intermediary component uses liquid crystal particles that can be electrically controlled to either allow broad light distribution (wide viewing angle) or restrict light to specific directions (narrow viewing angle), thereby mediating between the conflicting requirements of multi-viewer accessibility and driver safety.
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
Prevents unintended viewers from seeing the displayed content, reducing the risk of accidents by selectively controlling the viewing angle, ensuring only intended viewers can see the image.
Implementation Method 1
a first control liquid crystal layer on the first lower electrode that includes a plurality of first liquid crystal particles
Implementation Method 2
the viewing angle control unit is configured to switch between a wide viewing angle mode corresponding to a first viewing angle and a narrow viewing angle mode corresponding to a second viewing angle that is less than the first viewing angle according to a voltage applied to the first lower electrode and the first upper electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus having a viewing angle control unit is provided. The viewing angle control unit may be disposed between a back-light unit and a liquid crystal panel. The viewing angle control unit may include a control liquid crystal layer disposed between a lower electrode and an upper electrode. The viewing angle control unit may be switched to a wide viewing angle mode or a narrow viewing angle mode according to voltage applied to the lower electrode and the upper electrode. In the narrow viewing angle mode, each liquid crystal particle of the control liquid crystal layer may be obliquely arranged with respect to the lower electrode and the upper electrode. Thus, an image provided by the display apparatus may be not recognized to peoples around a user, selectively.