Switchable Viewing Angle Element for Privacy Without Brightness Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid crystal displays with wide viewing angles face challenges in switching between wide and narrow viewing modes without compromising image quality or brightness, as existing solutions either fail to achieve narrow viewing angles or result in decreased brightness, leading to image quality deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A viewing angle control element is placed between the light source and the viewer, featuring first regions with a constant transmittance and second regions capable of switching between two transmittance states, allowing for wide viewing angles while maintaining original brightness and preventing image quality degradation by using guest-host liquid crystals or polymer-dispersed liquid crystals that absorb or scatter light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wide viewing angle technology (VA mode or IPS mode) is used, then viewing angle is improved, but privacy protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic switching between wide viewing angle mode and narrow viewing angle mode based on user needs. The viewing angle control element can be switched between different states to provide either wide viewing angles for multiple viewers or narrow viewing angles for privacy protection, making the system adaptable to different usage scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the viewing angle control element to switch between wide and narrow viewing angle modes. By adjusting the transmittance and optical properties of the liquid crystal layers, the system can transform between different viewing angle characteristics without changing the physical structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If viewing angle is narrowed for privacy protection, then privacy protection is improved, but viewing angle flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the viewing angle based on user requirements. When privacy protection is needed, the viewing angle is narrowed; when multiple viewers need to watch together, the viewing angle is widened. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between privacy protection and viewing angle flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional viewing angle control methods are used, then narrow viewing angle is achieved, but brightness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of multiple liquid crystal layers with different alignment modes (VA mode and IPS mode) combined in a single viewing angle control element. This composite structure allows the system to achieve narrow viewing angles while maintaining brightness by utilizing the complementary optical properties of different liquid crystal modes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the viewing angle control element have different liquid crystal alignment characteristics. The VA mode regions provide narrow viewing angles while the IPS mode regions maintain brightness, allowing the system to achieve both narrow viewing angle control and high brightness simultaneously through spatial differentiation of optical properties.
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 seamless switching between wide and narrow viewing angles without reducing image quality or brightness, ensuring that the image display maintains original brightness in wide viewing mode and achieves narrow viewing angles effectively, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
using guest-host liquid crystals or polymer-dispersed liquid crystals that absorb or scatter light
Implementation Method 2
using guest-host liquid crystals or polymer-dispersed liquid crystals that absorb or scatter light
Data Source
AI summary
A viewing angle control element of the present invention contains transparent regions 23 having a transmittance T1 and light shield regions 24 capable of switching between a transmittance T2 and a transmittance T3 which is less than T1 and T2 according to an external signal. Each of the transparent regions 23 and the light shield regions 24 is positioned opposite to one of pixels. Displays are produced at or close to the original brightness of the image display element in wide viewing angle mode, whereas in narrow viewing angle mode, light transmission is limited to achieve narrow viewing angles. This is in contrast with other viewing angle control elements which produce displays at or close to the original brightness of the image display element in narrow viewing angle mode, whereas in wide viewing angle mode, light is diffused or otherwise modified to achieve wide viewing angles. Thus, the viewing angle control element is capable of achieving both wide viewing angles and narrow viewing angles, and still preventing image quality deterioration at wide viewing angles due to decreased brightness of the image display element.