Display with multiple user privacy

• US 20060073891A1
• Filed: 07/26/2005
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Holt, Timothy M.
• Application Number:
  US11/189,534
• Publication Number:
  US 20060073891A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/30
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/843 involving concurrently two or more players on the same game device, e.g. requiring the use of a plurality of controllers or of a specific view of game data for each player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2001/008 adapted for being playable on a screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/241 Touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1075 using a touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/203 Image generating hardware
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8088 involving concurrently several players in a non-networked game, e.g. on the same game console
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1323 Arrangements for providing a switchable viewing angle
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133509 Filters, e.g. light shielding masks
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/322 Casino tables, e.g. tables having integrated screens, chip detection means

Abstract

The present invention provides a display system that incorporates touch input, a community viewing regions, and multiple designated user regions that are viewable only from corresponding user positions. Systems of the present invention can be particularly useful in applications where it is desirable to provide for multiple users that can all view a common display region while being able to view their own designated display region and without being able to view another user'"'"'s designated display region from their position. Systems of the present invention can also be of particular benefit in applications where it is desirable for users to be able to interact with the system via touch input. Examples of applications that can make use of various benefits provided by the present invention include multiple player games where all players have the ability to view game information common to all and each player has the ability to privately view game information specific to them.

Claims

1. A display system comprising:

a display having a community viewing region and a plurality of designated private viewing regions, wherein each private viewing region is viewable only from an associated viewing position and the community viewing region is viewable from all viewing positions; and

a touch sensitive input device overlaying at least a portion of the display to provide for user interaction with the display system.

2. The display system of claim 1, further comprising a light control film assembly disposed in at least one of the private viewing regions to control the viewability of the display.

3. The display system of claim 2, wherein the light control film assembly comprises a first light control film that controls viewing angle in a first direction and a second light control film that controls viewing angle in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

4. The display system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first and second light control films controls a viewing axis determined by a tilt angle measured toward the associated viewing position from a line perpendicular to the display.

5. The display system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured as a table around which the associated viewing positions are distributed to accommodate a plurality of users.