Polarized enhanced confidentiality

• US 9,885,876 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2016
• Issued: 02/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Mead, Matthew, Noll, Paul, Mead, Lisa, Casal, Rmi Marcel Louis, Stanfield, Joel
• Primary Examiner(s): MANCHO, RONNIE M
• Application Number:
  US15/366,479
• Publication Number:
  US 20170082865A1
• Time in Patent Office: 432 Days
• Field of Search: 700245, 700259
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1697 Vision controlled systems
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2417 Light path control; means to control reflection
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/24 Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blindsoperating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/0015 characterised by the lens design
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/281 used for attenuating light intensity, e.g. comprising rotatable polarising elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/20 Filters polarising elements G02B5/30
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/30 Polarising elements light-modulating devices with active elements G02F1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/55 Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

A system for selectively controlling visibility of information in a work environment is provided. The system includes one or more polarized emissive screens located within the work environment. The screens have a first direction of polarization. Information displayed on the screens are visible to a person inside the work environment. The work environment includes at least one window which permits viewing of the polarized emissive screens from outside of the work environment. A polarizing filter having a second direction of polarization arranged at an angle to the first direction of polarization is positioned proximate to the window. A person outside the work environment can see inside the environment through the window, but has an altered view of the information on the displays.

Claims

1. A system for controlling visibility of information in a work environment, the system comprising:

one or more polarized emissive screens, a table, and one or more chairs located within the work environment, the one or more polarized emissive screens comprising a first direction of polarization and having information displayed which is visible from inside the work environment;

wherein the work environment includes at least one transparent window which allows viewing from within the work environment including a view of the one or more polarized emissive screens from outside of the work environment; and

a polarizing filter positioned proximate to and extending across the at least one transparent window, the polarizing filter comprising a second direction of polarization and wherein the second direction of polarization is arranged at an angle perpendicular to the first direction of polarization;

wherein viewing from outside of the work environment is allowed through the at least one transparent window, but viewing information on the one or more polarized emissive screens from outside of the work environment is not allowed.

2. The system of claim 1, the work environment further comprising a wall and wherein the one or more polarized emissive screens are positioned proximate the wall.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the one or more polarized emissive screens comprise a display screen.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the display screen comprises an LCD or LED display.

5. The system of claim 2 farther comprising a network connected to the display screen.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the work environment comprises a conference room.

7. A system for preventing visibility of information in an enclosed space, the system comprising:

at least one polarized electronic display screen, a table, and one or more chairs located within the enclosed space, the at least one polarized electronic display screen comprising a first direction of polarization;

the enclosed space further comprising at least one transparent window for viewing the at least one polarized electronic display screen from outside of the enclosed space; and

a polarizing filter positioned proximate to and extending across the at least one transparent window, the polarizing filter comprising a second direction of polarization arranged at an angle perpendicular to the first direction of polarization;

wherein viewing of information on the at least one polarized electronic display screen from outside of the enclosed space is prevented.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein information displayed on the at least one polarized electronic display screen is visible from inside the enclosed space.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the display screen comprises an LCD or LED display.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a network connected to the LCD or LED display.

11. The system of claim 9, the enclosed space further comprising a wall and wherein the one or more polarized electronic display screens are positioned proximate the wall.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the wall comprises a full-height wall.

13. The system of claim 8 further comprising at least one polarized non-electronic whiteboard located within the enclosed space, wherein the at least one polarized non-electronic whiteboard includes a direction of polarization aligned with the first direction of polarization of the one or more polarized electronic display screens.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the information displayed on the at least one polarized non-electronic whiteboard is visible from inside the enclosed space.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the polarizing filter completely covers the at least one transparent window.

16. The system of claim 15, the enclosed space further comprising a wall and wherein the one or more polarized electronic display screens are positioned proximate the wall.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising a network connected to the polarized electronic display screen.

18. The system of claim 8, wherein the polarizing filter partially covers the at least one transparent window.

19. The system of claim 18, the enclosed space further comprising a full-height wall and wherein the one or more polarized electronic display screens are positioned proximate the full-height wall.

20. A method of controlling visibility in an enclosed space, the method comprising:

providing at least one polarized electronic display screen, a table, and one or more chairs located within the enclosed space, the at least one polarized electronic display screen comprising a first direction of polarization;

providing at least one transparent window for viewing the at least one polarized electronic display screen from outside of the enclosed space; and

providing a polarizing filter comprising a second direction of polarization arranged at an angle perpendicular to the first direction of polarization; and

positioning the polarizing filter proximate to and extending across the at least one transparent window;

wherein viewing of information on the at least one polarized electronic display screen through the transparent window from outside of the enclosed space is prevented.