See-Through Display Using Brewster Angle Polarization Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image display devices with see-through functions are limited in displaying the background beyond the confines of their casing due to the need for a backlight source and lack of control over light transmission, restricting the visibility of external environments.
Innovation Solution
An image display device incorporating a polarization control pixel array and light control means that manipulate the polarization direction of light, allowing selective transmission and reflection of S-waves and P-waves to enable see-through functionality without a casing, using the principle of Brewster's angle to control light incidence and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a backlight source is disposed behind the liquid crystal panel to illuminate the panel, then the display image becomes visible, but the background visibility is limited to the inside of the case and the background of the case cannot be seen through
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light control function into two independent systems: a backlight source for illuminating the display panel and ambient light for background visibility. This allows the display panel to be controlled independently from the background transmission, enabling the panel to be transparent when not in use while maintaining display functionality when activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the liquid crystal panel's optical properties. The panel can switch between opaque (when displaying images with backlight) and transparent (when allowing ambient light transmission for background visibility). This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by providing context-dependent functionality.
2Illumination intensity
If a case is provided to accommodate the exhibit and light source, then both the liquid crystal panel and exhibit are illuminated, but the background of the case is not seen through
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source from the traditional enclosed case structure. Instead of placing the light source inside a case with the exhibit, the system uses ambient light from the environment and a separate backlight source positioned behind the display panel. This eliminates the need for a complex enclosed case structure while maintaining illumination functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The display panel serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display surface for images and as a controllable optical element that can switch between opaque and transparent states. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate case structures to manage light and background visibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the shutter film switches between direct transmission and indirect transmission states, then the background can be seen through or shaded, but the display image visibility is reduced when the background is seen through
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light sources into two independent systems: ambient light for background visibility and backlight for display images. This allows independent control of each function, eliminating the trade-off present in shutter film systems where one function must be sacrificed for the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid crystal panel acts as an intermediary element that selectively controls which light source illuminates the display area. When in transparent state, it allows ambient light to pass through for background visibility; when in opaque state, it blocks ambient light and allows backlight to illuminate the display image, achieving both functions without compromise.
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 increased freedom in display states, allowing images to be displayed on the background, displaying only the background, or a combination of both, with enhanced luminance control, and high transparency, while eliminating the need for a casing, thus providing a more versatile and transparent see-through display.
Implementation Method 1
the light control means is attached such that the source light is incident at an angle approximately equal to Brewster's angle
Implementation Method 2
a polarization control pixel array configured to control a polarization direction of light on the basis of externally provided image information and thereby generate and emit a polarized wave including at least S-wave, P-wave, an S-wave component, or a P-wave component
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image display device equipped with a see-through display function allowing the background to be seen through.In a liquid crystal display device (100), a transparent plate (170) is attached such that the incidence angle of source light emitted by a backlight source (160) is Brewster's angle θb, and therefore, the transparent plate (170) reflects S-wave included in the source light, and allows P-wave included in ambient light incident from the back side to be transmitted therethrough and illuminate a liquid crystal panel (150). Thus, when the backlight source (160) is on, the viewer can see an image displayed on the background, whereas when the backlight source (160) is off, only the background can be seen.