Segmented Privacy Cell for Display Edge Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing privacy screens and cells lack segmented control, leading to uniform orientation of liquid crystal molecules, which can diminish visibility at the edges of the display even when the user is directly in front, and fail to adapt to user location for customized privacy and sharing modes.
Innovation Solution
A privacy cell with a segmented array of electrodes allows independent control of liquid crystal segments, enabling each segment to be oriented differently based on applied voltages, thereby directing light optimally for privacy and sharing modes, and adapting to the user's location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a uniform privacy cell is used across the entire display, then privacy protection is provided, but visibility at the edges of the display is diminished
Solution Approach 1:
The privacy cell is divided into multiple independently controllable segments or zones across the display surface. Each segment can have its liquid crystal molecules oriented differently, allowing the center region to maintain privacy protection while edge regions maintain better visibility for users positioned at various locations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display are assigned different liquid crystal orientations and privacy characteristics. The center region applies stronger privacy control while edge regions apply reduced privacy control, creating a spatially varying quality that optimizes both privacy and visibility for different viewing positions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a privacy cell blocks light at angles greater than perpendicular, then privacy is ensured, but visibility from various angles is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The privacy cell's liquid crystal orientation is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. By independently controlling the orientation in different segments, the system can adapt to different user positions and viewing angles, switching between privacy-optimized and visibility-optimized configurations as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a spatial dimension to privacy control by varying liquid crystal orientation across different regions of the display. This creates a gradient or pattern of orientations that allows light to pass through at different angles depending on the location, effectively adding angular adaptability as a new dimension to the privacy function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the entire display is obscured in privacy mode, then privacy is maximized, but sharing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into multiple independently controllable regions, allowing selective application of privacy mode to specific portions of the screen. This enables scenarios where certain content or regions remain visible for sharing while other regions maintain privacy protection, optimizing both privacy and sharing capabilities simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display are assigned different privacy characteristics, with some regions optimized for privacy and others optimized for visibility. This local differentiation allows the system to provide both privacy protection and sharing capability by assigning appropriate characteristics to different functional zones of the display.
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
This solution enhances privacy by ensuring uniform visibility across the display and allows for customized control of privacy modes, ensuring that only necessary parts of the display are obscured, while improving sharing by allowing visibility from various angles without diminishing front-facing visibility.
Implementation Method 1
A privacy cell can be formed of liquid crystal that can be activated or deactivated based on an applied voltage
Data Source
AI summary
Privacy cells can be configured to enable segmented control. A privacy cell can include a segmented array of electrodes that allow segments of liquid crystal to be independently controlled. By independently applying a voltage to each electrode, the liquid crystal within each segment can be independently oriented at a desired angle for a particular mode of operation.