Photochromic Display Panel for Switchable Privacy Viewing Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current display devices lack a seamless mechanism to switch between wide and narrow viewing angles for privacy, often requiring external adjustments or films that can be aesthetically unappealing and functionally limited.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a photochromic layer that switches between transparent and opaque states based on incident light wavelength, allowing for a switchable viewing angle mode without external appearance defects, using a structure with emission areas emitting different wavelength bands to control light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a wide viewing angle mode is used, then image visibility is improved, but privacy protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic viewing angle control mechanism where the viewing angle of the display device can be adjusted in real-time. The controller dynamically changes the viewing angle based on detected ambient light conditions, transitioning between a first viewing angle (wider) for normal visibility and a second viewing angle (narrower) for enhanced privacy protection. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt between visibility and privacy needs based on environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the viewing angle parameter of the display device to control light emission distribution. By adjusting the viewing angle parameter between different preset values, the system controls the angular distribution of emitted light, thereby balancing image visibility requirements with privacy protection requirements in different usage scenarios.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a narrow viewing angle mode is used, then privacy protection is improved, but image visibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the viewing angle based on ambient light detection. When ambient light conditions indicate a need for privacy (such as bright environments where screens might be visible from afar), the controller automatically transitions to a narrower second viewing angle, reducing lateral light emission while maintaining adequate visibility for the intended user.
Solution Approach 2:
The viewing angle parameter is changed to a smaller value to restrict light emission to a narrower angular range. This parameter change concentrates the light output in the forward direction, improving privacy by reducing side-view visibility while maintaining sufficient brightness for the primary viewing position.
3Adaptability or versatility
If external viewing angle adjustment films or louvers are used, then viewing angle control is improved, but device appearance quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes external viewing angle adjustment films and louvers from the display device structure. Instead, the viewing angle control functionality is integrated directly into the display device's internal control system, which detects ambient light conditions and adjusts the viewing angle parameter accordingly. This extraction of external components eliminates appearance defects while maintaining viewing angle control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs multiple functions: it manages normal display operations, detects ambient light conditions, determines appropriate viewing angle settings, and executes viewing angle adjustments. By integrating these diverse functions into a single control unit, the system eliminates the need for separate external viewing angle adjustment components, thereby maintaining appearance quality while providing versatile viewing angle control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If viewing angle switching mechanism is added, then privacy mode functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a multi-functional component that handles both normal display control and viewing angle adjustment. It integrates ambient light sensing, viewing angle determination, and parameter adjustment functions within a single unit, avoiding the need for separate dedicated hardware components for privacy mode functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves privacy mode functionality by changing the viewing angle parameter rather than physically reconfiguring hardware components. This parameter-based approach allows for seamless transitions between normal and privacy modes without adding mechanical complexity, as the adjustment is achieved through electronic control of the display's optical properties.
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 seamless switching between normal and privacy modes by controlling light emission and absorption, maintaining clear image visibility while ensuring privacy by reducing lateral light emission, without the need for external viewing angle adjustment films or louvers.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent photochromic layer disposed on at least one surface of the display panel... a photochromic layer that is converted to a transparent state or an opaque state depending on a wavelength of incident light
Implementation Method 2
a display panel including a first emission area, a second emission area, a third emission area and a fourth emission area, from which light in different wavelength bands is emitted... each of the first emission area, the second emission area and the third emission area emits light in a wavelength band of visible light, and the fourth emission area emits light in a wavelength band of ultraviolet ray
Data Source
AI summary
A display device having switchable viewing angle includes a display panel including a first emission area, a second emission area, a third emission area and a fourth emission area, from which light in different wavelength bands is emitted, and a transparent photochromic layer disposed on at least one surface of the display panel, wherein each of the first emission area, the second emission area and the third emission area emits light in a wavelength band of visible light, the fourth emission area emits light in a wavelength band of ultraviolet ray, and when the fourth emission area is in an emission state, an area of the photochromic layer including the area corresponding to the fourth emission area is an opaque area, and wherein when the fourth emission area is in a non-emission state, an area of the photochromic layer including the area corresponding to the fourth emission area is a transparent region, thereby providing a display device capable of switching viewing angles.