Privacy Masking Device Using Waveguiding Substrate Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display protection technologies, such as micro louvre films, either require manual removal for changing viewing sectors or reduce maximum brightness and cause light loss, failing to provide effective and convenient control over visibility of confidential information on displays.
Innovation Solution
A masking device comprising light sources and a waveguiding substrate with microscopic grooves that allows guided light to be deflected in a controlled manner, enabling clear viewing from one region while preventing observation from another, with the ability to switch between operating modes to project dazzling light and maintain minimal optical attenuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a micro louvre film is used to control viewing angles, then privacy protection is improved, but the maximum brightness of the display is reduced and light loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the protective element by using a waveguiding substrate with controlled refractive index and carefully designed groove structures. The groove depth, width, and spacing are optimized to deflect light at specific angles while maintaining high transmittance for the desired viewing direction, thus achieving privacy protection without significant brightness loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguiding substrate introduces localized grooves at specific positions and orientations to create directional light control. The grooves are strategically placed to affect only the light paths that need to be blocked for privacy, while leaving the main viewing path unaffected, thereby maintaining display brightness for authorized users.
2Reliability
If a micro louvre film is used to prevent viewing from certain angles, then visibility control is improved, but manual removal is required to change viewing sectors reducing convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a switching mechanism that allows the protective element to dynamically change its optical properties. By activating different light sources (such as LEDs) behind the waveguiding substrate, the system can switch between different viewing sectors or privacy modes without requiring manual removal or physical adjustment of the film.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service functionality through electronic control, where the viewing angle and privacy protection levels can be adjusted automatically or on-demand without user intervention to physically change the protective element. The switching mechanism handles the reconfiguration automatically.
3Reliability
If grooves are implemented on the waveguiding substrate to deflect light, then privacy protection is improved, but optical attenuation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the grooves (depth, width, spacing, and orientation) to achieve effective light deflection for privacy protection while minimizing the total surface area occupied by grooves. By keeping the groove coverage ratio low (e.g., less than 5% of the total surface), the optical attenuation is reduced while still achieving the desired privacy effect in specific viewing directions.
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
The masking device effectively controls visibility by allowing authorized observers to view information while preventing others from doing so, maintaining high display brightness and not requiring manual adjustments, thus ensuring privacy and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguiding substrate (SUB1), which has a first major surface (SRF1) and a second major surface (SRF2), wherein an out-coupling region (REG1) of the substrate (SUB1) comprises a plurality of grooves (G1) implemented on the first major surface (SRF1) and/or on the second major surface (SRF2)
Implementation Method 2
the grooves (G1) are arranged to form first deflected light (B2a) by coupling the first guided light (B1a) out of the substrate (SUB1) through the second major surface (SRF2) of the substrate (SUB1)
Data Source
AI summary
A masking device disposed over a display has a first viewing region, a second viewing region, a first operating mode, and a second operating mode, wherein in the first operating mode the masking device allows a first observer located in the first viewing region to observe information displayed on the display, and also allows a second observer located in the second viewing region to observe the displayed information, wherein in the second operating mode the masking device projects light to the second viewing region so as to prevent the second observer from observing the displayed information.