Viewing Angle Controllable LCD with Dynamic Liquid Crystal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LCDs with wide viewing angles compromise user privacy, as they allow unauthorized viewing of display images, particularly in situations where a narrower viewing angle is desired.
Innovation Solution
A viewing angle controllable LCD design incorporating a back light module, polarizers, and a viewing angle controller with a homogenous horizontal alignment liquid crystal layer, where the liquid crystal molecules tilt when an electric field is applied, controlling the phase delay and passage of incident light to narrow the viewing angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wide viewing angle LCD is used, then the display is accessible to more users and sharing is facilitated, but user privacy is compromised as unauthorized viewing becomes possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic viewing angle control mechanism using a liquid crystal layer that can change its optical properties in real-time. By applying different voltages to the liquid crystal layer, the system dynamically adjusts the viewing angle - expanding it for shared viewing or narrowing it for privacy protection. This transforms a static display into a dynamically adaptable one that responds to user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the optical parameters of the liquid crystal layer through voltage control. By varying the voltage applied to the liquid crystal layer, the refractive index and orientation of liquid crystal molecules change, which directly controls the viewing angle. This parameter-based control allows continuous adjustment between wide and narrow viewing angles without physical reconfiguration.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a narrow viewing angle LCD is used, then user privacy is protected, but the display becomes less accessible to multiple users
Solution Approach 1:
The same dynamic liquid crystal control mechanism enables the system to switch between privacy-protecting narrow viewing angles and inclusive wide viewing angles. The display is not permanently constrained to a narrow angle but can expand its viewing cone when collaboration or sharing is desired, making it adaptable to different social contexts.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional polarizers and viewing angle controllers are added to control viewing angle, then privacy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid crystal layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the display medium for image formation and as the viewing angle control mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate control layers in some configurations, reducing overall complexity while achieving privacy protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid crystal layer acts as an optical intermediary between the backlight and the viewer. By controlling the orientation and optical properties of this intermediary layer, the system regulates which viewing angles can access the display content, providing privacy control without requiring complex mechanical shutters or additional opaque components.
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 design effectively limits the viewing angle and maintains image quality, addressing the privacy concerns associated with wide viewing angle LCDs while allowing for adjustable viewing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid crystal molecules, whose director axes are parallel to the substrate, tilt (in the vertical plane) so their director axes are no longer parallel to the substrate but are also not yet perpendicular to the substrate
Implementation Method 2
the incident light that does not enter into the viewing angle controller at a perpendicular angle generates a phase delay and cannot pass the polarizer on the other side of the viewing angle controller
Implementation Method 3
at least two polarizers which are disposed respectively on the two sides of the viewing angle controller and whose transparent axes are parallel to each other
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of the invention includes an LCD which comprises a back light module, a first polarizer, a second polarizer, an LCD panel, a first viewing angle controller and a third polarizer. The first polarizer and the second polarizer are disposed on the back light module and respectively have a first transparent axis and a second transparent axis which are perpendicular to each other. The LCD panel is disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer. The first viewing angle controller is disposed between the LCD panel and the second polarizer and has a first horizontal alignment liquid crystal layer. The third polarizer is disposed between the LCD panel and the first viewing angle controller and has a third transparent axis parallel to the second transparent axis.