Patent · US Active

Electronic device and LC shutter for polarization-sensitive switching between transparent and diffusive states

US8059232B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
56References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 8, 2008
Grant dateNov 15, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 26, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02F1/133626
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An electronic device (200) includes a display (202) and an LC shutter (204), at least a portion of which is operatively positioned over the display (202). The LC shutter (204) provides switching between a transparent state and a diffusive state with high image integrity, and high transmission in the transparent state. In one embodiment, the electronic device (200) further includes control logic (206) operatively coupled to the LC shutter (204) to provide control signals (212) to the LC shutter (204) to effect the transparent state. The LC shutter (204) includes a first dichroic polarizer (300), such as a broadband dichroic polarizer, a specular reflective polarizer (302), such as a broadband reflective polarizer, an LC cell (304), and a diffusive reflective polarizer (306). The LC cell (304) is interposed between the first dichroic polarizer (300) and the specular reflective polarizer (302). The diffusive reflective polarizer (306) is interposed between the LC cell (304) and the specular reflective polarizer (302). Related methods are also set forth.

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