Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Display with Position-Adaptive Transparency

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transparent display technologies with polymer-dispersed liquid crystals lack the ability to dynamically adjust images based on the viewer's position, limiting their application in providing immersive and interactive experiences.

Innovation Solution

A display system comprising a pair of transparent substrates with a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer and a control device that captures the viewer's position using a camera, allowing the display to switch between transparent and scattering states to render images from different angles, creating a pseudo-three-dimensional effect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the display device uses a fixed transparent state, then the transparency is maintained, but the ability to display images from different angles is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage display adaptabilityVSAvoiddisplay state control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by enabling the display device to dynamically switch between transparent and scattering states based on the viewer's position. The liquid crystal layer can change its optical properties in real-time, transitioning from a transparent state (when no voltage is applied) to a scattering state (when voltage is applied), allowing the display to adapt to different viewing angles and positions without requiring multiple fixed displays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the display switches between transparent and scattering states, then images from different angles can be displayed, but the response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing angle adaptabilityVSAvoidstate switching time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by continuously tracking the viewer's position using a camera and pre-calculating the required display state transitions. The system monitors the viewer's movement in real-time and prepares the appropriate scattering pattern in advance, reducing the perceived response time by anticipating position changes before they fully occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If the liquid crystal layer is driven at high frequency, then the response speed improves, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using frame interpolation technology that generates intermediate frames between actual viewer position changes. Instead of updating the display at maximum frequency continuously, the system updates only when necessary and interpolates intermediate states, reducing power consumption while maintaining the perception of high-speed response. The liquid crystal layer is driven at a standard frequency (e.g., 60Hz), but the effective response appears faster due to the interpolated intermediate states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 dynamic image rendering based on the viewer's position, enhancing the display's interactive and immersive capabilities, suitable for applications like augmented reality and educational systems.

Implementation Method 1

a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer held between a pair of transparent substrates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymer dispersed liquid crystal effect: Liquid Crystals

Implementation Method 2

switch between a scattering state in which incident light is scattered and a transparent state in which incident light is transmitted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS20240345789A1Display system, display device and method
Publication Date: 2024.10.17 JAPAN DISPLAY INC
  • US20240345789A1 patent drawing
  • US20240345789A1 patent drawing
  • US20240345789A1 patent drawing

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a display system includes a display device and a control device. The display device includes a pair of transparent substrates and a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer held between the pair of transparent substrates. The control device controls display of images in the display device. The display device is transparent to a background on one side when viewed from another side of the pair of transparent substrates, and is transparent to a background on the other side when viewed from the one side of the pair of transparent substrates. The control device detects a position of a person based on a first image, and displays a second image based on the detected position.