Viewing Angle Control Device for Privacy Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display devices with wide viewing angles can inadvertently expose confidential information to others, necessitating manual adjustment of light control films for privacy protection, which is inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A viewing angle control device that adjusts the orientation of liquid crystal molecules by changing the potential difference between transparent conductive layers, causing phase retardation for light beams entering at large angles and preventing them from passing through the polarizer, allowing for electrical switching between general and privacy-protecting modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wide viewing angle is designed for the display device, then more viewers can see the display, but confidential information can be easily seen by others causing privacy leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a liquid crystal film that can dynamically change its light control properties based on electrical signals. The liquid crystal molecules can rotate and reorient themselves when voltage is applied, transforming the film from a light-blocking state to a light-transmitting state, or vice versa. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the display to switch between wide viewing angle mode and privacy protection mode, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and privacy protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the display system by introducing a liquid crystal film with controllable refractive index and birefringence properties. By adjusting the voltage applied to the liquid crystal film, the optical path difference and light transmission characteristics are modified, enabling the system to switch between different viewing angle states. This parameter change approach allows the same display hardware to serve multiple functions without physical modification.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a light control film is manually put in front of the display device for privacy protection, then confidential information can be protected, but it is inconvenient for users to manually put and remove the film
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manually attaching and detaching light control films with an electrical control system. Instead of physically handling films, users can simply apply or remove voltage through electronic controls to achieve the same privacy protection effect. This substitution eliminates the inconvenience of manual operation while maintaining the privacy protection function.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid crystal film automatically adjusts its light control properties in response to electrical signals without requiring user intervention for physical manipulation. The system serves itself by using the electrical signal to directly control the liquid crystal molecule orientation, which in turn controls light transmission. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for users to manually put or remove films, greatly improving ease of operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the liquid crystal molecules are controlled to limit viewing angle, then privacy protection is achieved, but the display device cannot switch between general display mode and privacy-protecting mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control system where the liquid crystal film can be electrically switched between different molecular orientations. In the privacy protection mode, the liquid crystal molecules are oriented to block oblique light. In the general display mode, the molecules are oriented to allow wide-angle light transmission. This dynamic switching capability, controlled by voltage application, enables the display device to adapt between different functional modes as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables periodic switching between privacy protection mode and general display mode through electrical control signals. The liquid crystal film responds to alternating voltage applications by switching between different optical states, allowing the display to periodically alternate between limiting and allowing viewing angles. This periodic action provides the versatility needed for different usage scenarios.
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
Effectively limits the viewing angle to protect privacy by preventing large-angle light leakage, enabling convenient electrical switching between display modes without the need for manual light control film adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
The viewing angle control device can control the inclining direction of the liquid crystal molecules by changing the potential difference between the transparent conductive layers, such that the light beam that is incident into the viewing angle control device from a large angle generates phase retardation
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~1D
AI summary
A viewing angle control device (12) including at least one liquid crystal panel (121), at least one compensation film (122) and polarizers (1231, 1232) is provided. Each of the at least one liquid crystal panel (121) includes two transparent conductive layers (1211, 1212) and liquid crystal molecules (1213). The polarizers include at least one first polarizer (1231) and a second polarizer (1232). The at least one first polarizer (1231) is located between the at least one compensation film (122) and the at least one liquid crystal panel (121). The second polarizer (1232) is located on the other side of either the at least one liquid crystal panel (121) or the at least one compensation film (122) than the at least one first polarizer (1231). When there is no potential difference between the transparent conductive layers, an optical axis of each of the liquid crystal molecules (1213) is parallel or orthogonal to a transmission axis (T1231) of the at least one first polarizer. A viewing angle controllable display apparatus (10A, 10F) comprising the viewing angle control device (12) and a display panel (14, 14A) is also provided.