IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,554,166
Granted Patent B2
US 12,554,166 · App. 18/697,623 · Granted Feb 17, 2026

Display device, in particular for a vehicle, with switchable sharing and private modes

Inventors: Alberto Sánchez Castillo (Lippstadt, DE); Willem Hofman (Lippstadt, DE)
Assignee: BHTC GmbH
G02F1/134309G02F2201/124
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,554,166
App. No.
18/697,623
Granted
Feb 17, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The display device comprises an LCD display having a plurality of pixels and a special split electrode design, which makes it possible, using IPS technology, to influence the intensity and homogeneity of the electrical field propagating within a pixel. As a result, each pixel can switch from a sharing mode with maximum luminescence and a symmetrical viewing angle range into a private mode with reduced luminescence and an asymmetrical viewing angle range and back again, and vice versa into the sharing mode.

Claims (6)

1 . A display device, in particular for a vehicle, comprising

an LCD display having a plurality of pixels which comprises a transparent carrier layer ( 10 ), on which, per pixel, a group of electrodes ( 12 ′, 13 ′, 13 ″, 18 ′) and also electronic components for actuating the electrodes ( 12 ′, 13 ′, 13 ″, 18 ′) are arranged, a transparent cover layer ( 22 ) forming a display surface, and a liquid crystals layer ( 24 ) between the carrier layer ( 10 ) and the cover layer ( 22 ),

wherein each group of electrodes ( 12 ′, 13 ′, 13 ″, 18 ′) comprises a first electrode surface ( 12 ′) that can be connected to a ground potential and a split electrode surface having two coplanar second electrode surfaces ( 13 ′, 13 ″) that can be connected to the ground potential, are electrically insulated from one another and from the first electrode surface ( 12 ′), and are arranged above or below the first electrode surface ( 12 ′) such that side edges of the split electrode surface are flush with side edges of the first electrode surface in a side view,

wherein each group of electrodes ( 12 ′, 13 ′, 13 ″, 18 ′) comprises a third electrode ( 18 ′), which is arranged to be electrically insulated from the first and second electrode surfaces ( 12 ′, 13 ′, 13 ″) and can be connected to an operating potential, and

an actuation unit, which comprises the electronic components, inter alia, for connecting the third electrode ( 18 ′) of each pixel or selected pixels to the operating potential and for connecting the first electrode surfaces ( 12 ′) of each pixel or selected pixels to the ground potential in a sharing mode and for connecting the first electrode surface ( 12 ′) and additionally one of the two second electrode surfaces ( 13 ′, 13 ″) of each pixel or selected pixels to the ground potential in a private mode,

as a result of which information displayed on the display surface of the LCD display, when looking at the display surface from a viewing direction facing one of the two second electrode surfaces ( 13 ′, 13 ″) of all the pixels, is visible in greater contrast in sharing mode than in private mode, in which the one of the two second electrode surfaces ( 13 ′, 13 ″) of each pixel or selected pixels which faces away from said viewing direction is connected to the ground potential.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 23, 2024
From: SÁNCHEZ CASTILLO, ALBERTO; HOFMAN, WILLEM
To: BHTC GMBH
Reel/Frame 068050/0235 →
Priority Claims (2)
DE 10 2021 126 024.8 · Oct 7, 2021 · national
DE 10 2022 114 155.1 · Jun 3, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240402543A1 · Dec 5, 2024
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