Photochromic Light Control Layer for Adjustable Display Viewing Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display devices struggle to adjust their viewing angle without compromising resolution, especially when switching between wide and narrow viewing modes, as existing solutions often require additional optical films or complex configurations.
Innovation Solution
A display device incorporating a substrate with light-emitting elements and a light control layer, where a second light-emitting element emitting ultraviolet or infrared light is used to adjust the viewing angle by selectively blocking or transmitting visible light through a photochromic material, allowing for switching between wide and narrow viewing modes without external optical films.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional optical films or complex configurations are used to adjust viewing angle, then viewing angle adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a photochromic material layer that changes its optical properties (from transparent to light-blocking) in response to UV light exposure. This color/optical state change mechanism enables viewing angle adjustment without adding complex optical films, as the material itself transforms to control light transmission based on UV activation from a second light-emitting element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical transmission parameter of the display device by activating a photochromic material with UV light. The material's transmission characteristics dynamically switch between transparent and blocking states, enabling viewing angle control through parameter change rather than structural modification, thus avoiding additional optical films.
2Adaptability or versatility
If light-blocking area is increased to reduce viewing angle, then viewing angle is reduced for privacy, but resolution may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic viewing angle control through a photochromic material that can switch between transparent and light-blocking states. This dynamic adjustment allows the display to adapt viewing angles in real-time without fixed light-blocking structures, preserving resolution by only blocking light at angles greater than the predetermined threshold while maintaining pixel integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The photochromic material acts as an intermediary layer between the display and the viewer. It mediates light transmission by becoming transparent at certain angles and blocking at others, enabling viewing angle control without directly interfering with the light-emitting elements or requiring complex optical structures that would compromise resolution.
3Adaptability or versatility
If photochromic material is used to block light, then viewing angle is adjusted, but light transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or conditional activation of the photochromic material through UV light from a second light-emitting element. The material transitions to a light-blocking state only when UV light is applied, and returns to transparent state when UV light is removed, enabling on-demand viewing angle adjustment without permanent light transmission reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The photochromic material serves as a controllable intermediary that selectively blocks light based on UV activation. It does not permanently reduce light transmission but dynamically modulates it according to viewing angle requirements, maintaining high transmission in normal operation and blocking only when needed for privacy.
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 adjustable viewing angles without reducing resolution, effectively blocking or transmitting light to achieve desired viewing modes, thereby enhancing user privacy and display performance.
Implementation Method 1
The light control layer may include a photochromic material such that in operation a second light having a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range applied to the light control layer discolors the light control layer
Implementation Method 2
A refractive index of the light guide layer may be greater than a refractive index of the light control layer
Implementation Method 3
The light guide layer may transmit the second light to the display area
Implementation Method 4
The first optical pattern may include a diffraction grating selectively diffracting a light having the second wavelength range
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of a display device includes a substrate, a first light-emitting element, and a light control layer. The substrate includes a display area and a peripheral area adjacent to the display area, and the display area includes a light-emitting area and a light-blocking area. The first light-emitting element is disposed in the light-emitting area on the substrate and emits a first light having a first wavelength range. The light control layer is disposed on the first light-emitting element, and defines an opening exposing a portion of the light-emitting area. The light control layer includes a photochromic material such that in operation a second light having a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range applied to the light control layer discolors the light control layer.