Switchable Viewing Angle Display With Dedicated Privacy Sub-Pixel

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices with privacy filtering technologies suffer from reduced brightness and sharpness at the front side, and previous solutions that manipulate light emission angles of liquid crystals either reduce the aperture ratio or are ineffective against unauthorized viewing when angles are slightly changed.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a pixel structure that includes a first pixel and a second pixel, where the second pixel has a fifth sub-pixel that is enabled in narrow viewing angle mode to reduce the viewing angles of other sub-pixels, and disabled in wide viewing angle mode to maintain original viewing angles, achieving privacy filtering while maintaining aperture ratio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If an optical privacy filter is used to protect data on the screen from being viewed by unauthorized individuals, then privacy protection is improved, but brightness and sharpness at the front side of the screen are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunauthorized viewingVSAvoidbrightness at front side

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The pixel structure is segmented into multiple sub-pixels (first sub-pixel, second sub-pixel, third sub-pixel, fourth sub-pixel, and fifth sub-pixel) with different functions. The fifth sub-pixel is specifically dedicated to privacy filtering while other sub-pixels maintain display functionality, allowing privacy protection without sacrificing overall brightness and sharpness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sub-pixels are assigned different local qualities and functions within the same pixel structure. The fifth sub-pixel has specialized properties for privacy filtering (narrow viewing angle), while other sub-pixels maintain standard display properties, achieving localized privacy protection without affecting overall display quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a white sub-pixel is added in a single pixel to enable privacy filtering function by reducing light emission angles, then privacy protection is improved, but aperture ratio is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of original sub-pixelsVSAvoidaperture ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fifth sub-pixel is integrated into the existing pixel structure alongside the first through fourth sub-pixels, merging privacy filtering functionality with the display structure. This integration allows the privacy filter to work in conjunction with other sub-pixels rather than replacing them, maintaining aperture ratio

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pixel structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: the first and second sub-pixels handle primary display, the third and fourth sub-pixels provide additional display coverage, and the fifth sub-pixel provides privacy filtering. This multi-functionality allows privacy protection without requiring a complete redesign that would reduce aperture ratio

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple white sub-pixels are arranged in a regular manner to enhance privacy filtering, then privacy protection is improved, but viewing angles are overly restricted and other persons can still view information by slightly changing angles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy filtering effectVSAvoidviewing angle flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the viewing angle parameter by enabling the fifth sub-pixel selectively based on detection results. When a secondary target is detected, the fifth sub-pixel is enabled to narrow viewing angles for privacy protection. When no secondary target is detected, the fifth sub-pixel remains disabled, maintaining wider viewing angles and avoiding overly restricted viewing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution effectively reduces visibility from the side in narrow viewing angle mode while maintaining image quality and aperture ratio, and allows for better privacy filtering without significantly affecting the primary user's viewing experience.

Implementation Method 1

manipulating light emission angles of liquid crystals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission angle manipulation: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS9898957B2Display device with switchable viewing angle and operation method thereof

Publication Date: 2018.02.20 AU OPTRONICS CORP

AI summary

A display device with switchable viewing angle includes a first pixel and a second pixel. The first pixel has a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel. The second pixel has a third sub-pixel, a fourth sub-pixel and a fifth sub-pixel. The fifth sub-pixel is configured to be enabled when operating in a narrow viewing angle mode and to be disabled when operating in a wide viewing angle mode. When the fifth sub-pixel is enabled, each viewing angle of the first sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel, the third sub-pixel and the fourth sub-pixel is narrower than that when the fifth sub-pixel is disabled.