Liquid crystal displays with repositionable front polarizers

• US 6,642,977 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2001
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Sahouani, Hassan, Kotchick, Keith M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ton, Toan
• Assistant Examiner(s): AKKAPEDDI, PRASAD R
• Application Number:
  US09/885,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20030016317A1
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 349/96, 359/485, 359/501, 359/490, 359/493
• US Class Current: 349/96
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133528 Polarisers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate

Abstract

The present invention includes electronic devices having liquid crystal display modules and repositionable front polarizers. A viewer views the display module through a front polarizer, which can be repositioned to change the display appearance, enhance the display contrast, invert the image, increase ambient light exposure, provide privacy, or the like. Repositionable front polarizers can be tiltably and/or rotatably mounted in front of the display module, or can be remotely located, for example on a pair of polarizing eye glasses. The present invention also includes reflective liquid crystal displays that have internal front light guides disposed between a liquid crystal cell and a front polarizer. As such, the light from the front light guide can illuminate the liquid crystal cell without being attenuated by the front polarizer, resulting in a brighter front lit display.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a liquid crystal display module for selectively altering a polarization of light for displaying information; and

a front polarizer mounted to the electronic device so that the front polarizer can be tilted toward or away from the display module while maintaining viewability of the display module through the front polarizer.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the display module is capable of being operated in a reflective mode.

3. An electronic device comprising a liquid crystal display capable of displaying information in a reflective mode, the liquid crystal display comprising:

a liquid crystal display module for selectively altering a polarization of light, the display module having a front side oriented toward a viewer position; and

a front polarizer associated with the liquid crystal display and disposed between the display module and the viewer position in a manner such that light from the front side of the display module illuminates the display module without first passing through the front polarizer,

wherein the front polarizer is mounted to the electric device so that the front polarizer can be tilted toward or away from the display module.