Seat-Specific Vehicle Display Privacy via Polarization Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current display systems for vehicles lack effective control over viewing angles, particularly in scenarios where a display image should be visible from one seat but not from another, such as between a driver and passenger seat during driving.
Innovation Solution
A display system incorporating a viewing angle control panel with a twist-aligned liquid crystal layer, controlled by external light intensity or eye gaze tracking, which adjusts drive voltage to manage polarization components and rotation, ensuring the image is visible from desired angles while being obscured from undesired ones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a display device is mounted on a vehicle to provide information to passengers, then the passenger can view the display image, but the driver may also inadvertently view the same image causing distraction and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different viewing characteristics in different spatial regions. The display device has a first viewing area with a first viewing angle range optimized for passenger viewing, and a second viewing area with a second viewing angle range that prevents driver viewing. This spatial differentiation of viewing properties allows the same display to serve different users with different visibility requirements, enabling the passenger to view the display while preventing driver distraction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the viewing angle is widened to allow passenger viewing, then the display becomes accessible from the passenger seat, but the image becomes visible from the driver seat side as well
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by defining distinct viewing angle characteristics for different spatial zones. The first viewing area encompasses angles suitable for passenger seat viewing, while the second viewing area encompasses angles that would allow driver seat viewing. By controlling the liquid crystal layer to provide different transmittance characteristics in these zones, the display achieves adaptability for passenger viewing while preventing unwanted visibility from the driver side.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the viewing angle characteristics controllable and adjustable. The liquid crystal layer can change its optical properties in response to control signals, allowing the viewing angle ranges to be dynamically adjusted. This enables the display to adapt to different viewing conditions and user requirements, providing flexible control over which areas can view the display at different times.
3Device complexity
If a single viewing angle control is used for the entire display, then the structure is simple, but it cannot provide different viewing characteristics for different seating positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the display into multiple viewing areas with different viewing angle characteristics. Rather than using a single uniform control mechanism for the entire display, the system creates distinct first and second viewing areas that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows each seating position to have optimized viewing characteristics, with the passenger area providing accessible viewing angles while the driver area maintains restricted visibility.
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 system effectively controls viewing angles based on environmental light or user gaze, preventing image visibility from inappropriate directions, enhancing safety and usability by minimizing distractions and reflections.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal molecules twist-aligned
Implementation Method 2
transmitting a second polarization component having a second polarization axis different form the first polarization axis
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a display system includes an external light sensor, a display panel, a viewing angle control panel including a liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal molecules twist-aligned, configured such that a drive voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer is controlled based on an external light intensity detected by the external light sensor, and a polarization axis rotation element disposed between the viewing angle control panel and the display panel. The drive voltage when the external light intensity is less than a threshold value is greater than the drive voltage when the external light intensity is greater or equal to than the threshold value.