Patent · US Active

Directional display apparatus

US11237417B2 · kind B2 · utility

33Cited by
75References
36Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 29, 2021
Grant dateFeb 1, 2022
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 29, 2041

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02F2413/07
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A switchable privacy display for an automotive vehicle comprises a spatial light modulator, a first switchable liquid crystal retarder and first passive retarder arranged between a first pair of polarisers and a second switchable liquid crystal retarder and second passive retarder arranged between a second pair of polarisers. A first switchable liquid crystal retarder comprises a two homeotropic alignment layers and a second switchable liquid crystal retarder comprises two homogeneous alignment layers. In a privacy mode of operation, on-axis light from the spatial light modulator is directed without loss to the passenger, whereas off-axis light has reduced luminance to reduce the visibility of the display to off-axis driver leaning towards the display. In a shared mode of operation, the liquid crystal layers are controlled so that off-axis luminance and reflectivity are unmodified.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.