WO2022050943A1

WO2022050943A1 - Privacy mode

Info

Publication number: WO2022050943A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/049157
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hsing-Hung Hsieh; Ann ALEJANDRO VILLEGAS; Alexander Wayne CLARK
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2020-09-03
Filing date: 2020-09-03
Publication date: 2022-03-10

Abstract

In an example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, an electronic device comprises a display which includes a panel and a liquid crystal (LC) layer placed between a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a plurality of electrode strips. The electronic device also includes a controller which detects an activation of a privacy mode to enable a display of content in a first region and obscure a display of content in a second region of the panel. The controller identifies a first location of a user with respect to the display. The first location of the user corresponds to a first region of the panel. In response, the controller activates a first set of electrode strips of the plurality of electrode strips for the first substrate to enable content to be displayed in the first region of the panel.

Description

PRIVACY MODE

BACKGROUND

[0001] A display or monitor can include an output device that can display information in a pictorial form. The display can include a plurality of light sources that can be utilized to generate images that are displayed utilizing different combinations of the plurality of light sources. The display can be coupled to a computing device to receive images from the computing device and to generate the received images utilizing the plurality of light sources.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. While several examples are described in connection with these drawings, the disclosure is not limited to the examples disclosed herein.

[0003] Figure 1 illustrates an electronic device to control a display privacy mode, according to an example;

[0004] Figure 2 illustrates a system to display content in a private viewing zone, according to an example;

[0005] Figure 3 illustrates another system to display content in a private, according to another example; [0006] Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of a computing device to enable an image to be displayed in a private viewing zone, according to another example;

[0007] Figure 5 illustrates a system to display content in a private viewing zone based on a tolerance error, according to an example; and

[0008] Figure 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a method to enable content to be displayed in a private viewing zone, according to some examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Display devices display digital images. In some examples, a display is a computing device display, a laptop display, a phone display, etc. Displays may be coupled to a computing device to allow a user to make selections and interactions with the computing device. The selections and interactions with the computing device may include sensitive or private information that a user may not want other individuals in the area to be able to view. In some examples, the privacy display may be utilized to prevent individuals around the display from viewing the images displayed on the device display.

[0010] Some privacy displays may utilize filters that scatter the light generated by a plurality of light sources near the edges of the display to generate what appears to be a white background to users positioned at a particular angle from the display. This use of a white background to users positioned at a side angle may be used by a switchable privacy display. In particular, content may be viewed in the wide angles (e.g., +/- 85 degrees) when the switchable display is in a share mode. A zero angle may be in a line of sight which is perpendicular to the front panel of the display. The degrees of the viewable angles would then extend to the left (e.g., -85 degrees) and to the right (e.g., +85 degrees).

[0011] Content may be viewed at the narrow angies (e.g., +/- 45 degrees) when the switchable display is in a privacy mode. A user may want content to be viewed in a privacy mode when the user is in a populated or public space and does not want bystanders to be able to view confidential or personal content displayed on the user’s screen. By using a privacy mode for the display, the content is shown to those who are in the narrower viewable zone, and those located outside of the viewable zone would be unable to view the content or at least a reduced amount of the content than what the bystander would be able to see if the display was in a shared mode.

[0012] Unfortunately, the switchable privacy display limits the user in that the user would be positioned in the center of the display when the switchable display is in privacy mode. This would prevent the user from moving to one of the sides while in the privacy mode. This may be inconvenient to the user and may not allow the user to view content on the switchable display unless they are centered in front of the display. Furthermore, the switchable display may include alignment errors which are produced during manufacturing. Therefore, the level of precision may be too inadequate to provide an image in a correct viewable zone while in a privacy mode.

[0013] Various examples described herein relate to an electronic device comprising a display and a controller. The display includes a panel and a liquid crystal (LC) layer placed between a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a plurality of electrode strips. The controller detects an activation of a privacy mode for the electronic device which enables a display of content in a first region of the panel and obscures the display of content in a second region of the panel. The controller identifies a first location of a user with respect to the display, wherein the first location of the user corresponds to the first region of the panel. In response to the activation of the privacy mode and the determination of the first location of the user, the controller activates a first set of electrode strips of the plurality of electrode strips for the first substrate to enable content to be displayed in the first region of the panel.

[0014] In other examples described herein, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprises a set of instructions that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to determine an alignment error between a first electrode layer of a display and a second electrode layer of the display. An LC layer is placed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The set of instructions that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to detect an activation of a privacy mode for the display, identify a private viewing zone for the display, and determine, based on the private viewing zone and the alignment error between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, a region of the first electrode layer to activate which enables content to be displayed in the private viewing zone of the display.

[0015] In yet another example, a method comprises determining an alignment error between an electrode strip array layer of a panel and a singular electrode strip layer of the panel. The method comprises detecting an activation of a privacy mode for the panel and identifying a private viewing zone of the panel based on a location of a user. The method comprises activating, based on the private viewing zone and the alignment error between the electrode strip array layer and the singular electrode strip layer, a first set of electrode strips of the electrode strip array iayer. The method comprises activating the singular electrode strip layer to enable an image to be displayed in the private viewing zone of the panel.

[0016] Figure 1 illustrates an electronic device to control a display privacy mode, according to an example. Electronic device 100 includes panel 102 and controller 104. Electronic device 100 may be a portion of a display device. For example, electronic device 100 may be part of a device for displaying digital images to a user. In some examples, electronic device 100 may be utilized to generate images utilizing panel 102.

[0017] Panel 102 includes LC layer 110, first substrate 112, and second substrate 114. Panel 102 may also include light sources (not shown) that are capable of generating light to a user on a screen of panel 102. For example, the light sources may include a light emitting diode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), display light sources, and/or other types of backlight sources.

[0018] As illustrated in Figure 1 , LC layer 110 is placed between first substrate 112 and second substrate 114. First substrate 112 and second substrate 114 may each include material that may be utilized to couple to another structure. For example, first substrate 112 and second substrate 114 may comprise a material or structure (e.g., silicon, a printed circuit board (PCB), printed circuit assembly (PCA), etc.) that may be utilized to couple to electrode strips. In particular, first substrate 112 may be coupled to a plurality of electrode strips 120. In some examples, second substrate 114 may be coupled to a single electrode strip. Although not shown, second substrate 114 may also be coupled to one or more light sources which allow light to be directed toward first substrate 112 through LC layer 110 and electrode strips 120.

[0019] As used herein, LC layer 110 comprises a piezo material, such as a crystal material, which may accumulate an electric charge to provide a piezo-electronic effect and aiterthe direction of light based on electric charge of electrode strips 120. It should be noted that in other examples, the piezo material may include a ceramic material, gallium phosphate lithium niobite, lithium tantalite, barium titanate, bismuth ferrite, bismuth titanate, or other types of materials that may accumulate an electric charge to change the size or shape of the material and alter the position of light between first substrate 112 and second substrate 114.

[0020] Still referring to Figure 1 , first substrate 112 includes a plurality of electrode strips 120. Electrode strips 120 may include an opaque material that may prevent or reduce an amount light from passing through the material. As illustrated in Figure 1 , each of the plurality of electrode strips 120 may be separated from one another by an opening or aperture. Each aperture may correspond to a light source where the light from the light source may be directed through a pair of electrode strips 120 through an aperture. In some examples electronic device 100 may apply a voltage to one or more electrode strips 120 in order to alter LC layer 110 which in turn, alters the direction of the light from the light sources through the apertures between electrode strips 120. In this way, the light may be directed closer or further away from the apertures between electrode strips 120 depending on the voltages applied to each of electrode strips 120.

[0021] Controller 104 may include a processor and memory which store instructions to perform particular functions. Controller 104 may be coupled to panel 102 and communicate instructions to enable and disable a privacy mode for electronic device. In particular, controller 104 may detect an activation of a privacy mode for electronic device 100. The activation of the privacy mode may reduce the visibility of the content being displayed in a second region of the panel.

[0022] Controller 104 may identify a first location of a user with respect to the device. The first location of the user may correspond to the first region of the panel. In some examples, the first location of the user may be determined by controller 104 detecting a first location of the user who is closest to electronic device 100 or centered in front of panel 102 in response to the activation of the privacy mode. In other examples, controller 104 may use facial recognition, voice recognition, etc. to determine the location of the user of electronic device 100 Controller 104 may determine the first location of the user with respect to electronic device 100 using a camera, proximity device, thermal sensor, or some other input device included in or coupled to electronic device 100.

[0023] In response to the activation of the privacy mode and the determination of the first location of the user, controller 104 may direct a first set of electrode strips 120 to activate for first substrate 112 and enable content to be displayed in the first region of panel 102. For example, the first set of electrode strips may be associated with a first pixel. In this example, light for the first pixel may be emitted by panel 102 when the first set of electrodes 120 are activated. In some examples, controller 104 may further direct a second set of electrode strips 120 to deactivate. This may obscure content from being displayed in the second region of panel 102. In particular, the content may be obscured by modifying the view angle, such as narrowing the viewing angle and/or redirecting the viewing angle from one side to another. By obscuring the light, and in turn the content displayed, in the second region of panel 102, the viewing angle for panel 102 is narrowed.

[0024] In yet another example, controller 104 may monitor a movement of the user from a first location to a second location which corresponds to the second region of the display. In this example, a second set of electrode strips 120 for first substrate 112 may be activated to enable the content to be displayed in the second region of panel 102. Further in this example, the first set of electrode strips 120 for first substrate 112 may be deactivated to reduce the visibility of content displayed in the first region of panel 102.

[0025] For example, a user may move from the left side of panel 102 to the right side of panel 102. In this example, the right side of 102 may be associated with the second region of panel 102 and the left side of panel 102 may be associated with the first region of panel 102. When the user is located on the left side of panel 102, the second region of panel 102 associated with the right side of panel 102 may be obscured or reduced in light, and the first region of panel 102 associated with the left side of panel 02 may be more lit which allows better visibility of the content displayed in the first region of panel 102. Once the user moves to the other side, controller 104 by switch the viewable region on panel 102 from the first region to the second region.

[0026] In other examples, controller 104 may further determine an alignment error between first substrate 112 and second substrate layer 114. An alignment error may result from a manufacturing error or a shift of first substrate 112 and/or second substrate 114 caused by transporting electronic device 100, temperature changes, degradation of materials included in electronic device 100, etc. In this example, controller 104 activates the first set of electrode strips of the plurality of electrode strips 120 based on the alignment error between first substrate 112 and second substrate 114.

[0027] Figure 2 illustrates a system 200 to display content in a private viewing zone, according to an example. System 200 includes panel 202. Panel 202 may be an example of panel 102 from Figure 1 . However, panel 202 may differ in form or structure from panel 102. Panel 202 includes first substrate 212 and second substrate 214. First substrate 212 includes first set of electrode strips 220 and second set of electrode strips 222. Second substrate 214 includes single electrode strip 224. Between first substrate 212 and second substrate 214, Figure 2 illustrates LC layer 210. System 200 also includes left viewing zone 230, center viewing zone 232, and right viewing zone 234. In this example, first set of electrode strips 220 correspond to center viewing zone 232, and second set of electrode strips 222 correspond to left viewing zone 230 and right viewing zone 234.

[0028] In this example, LC layer 210 includes a crystal material which expands and contracts to different sizes and directions based on a voltage applied to the crystal material through an electrical connection between singular electrical strip 224 on second substrate 214 and first set of electrodes 220 on first substrate 212. In this way, a light source may be raised in the direction of center viewing zone 232 and lowered in the direction of left viewing zone 230 and right viewing zone 234. In particular, by activating first set of electrodes 220 and deactivating second set of electrodes 222, the light is directed to the openings or apertures between first set of electrodes 220, corresponding to center viewing zone 232, and directed away from the openings or apertures between second set of electrodes 222, corresponding to left viewing zone 230 and right viewing zone 234. [0029] By directing the light to the apertures between first set of electrodes 220, the content displayed on panel 202 is enabled or increased in visibility to a user in the center position of system 200 (e.g., between zero degrees and +/- 45 degrees). Further, by directing the light away from the openings or apertures between second set of electrodes 222, content or images displayed on panel 202 are obscured from view from bystanders who are not in a center line of sight of panel 202 (e.g., between +/- 45 degrees and +/- 85 degrees).

[0030] Figure 3 illustrates system 300 to display content in a side private viewing zone, according to an example. System 300 includes panel 302. Panel 302 may be an example of panel 102 from Figure 1 or panel 202 from Figure 2. However, panel 302 may differ in form or structure from panel 102 and panel 202. Panel 302 includes first substrate 312 and second substrate 314. First substrate 312 includes first set of electrode strips 320 and second set of electrode strips 322. Second substrate 314 includes single electrode strip 324. Between first substrate 312 and second substrate 314, Figure 3 illustrates LC layer 310. System 300 also includes left viewing zone 330, center viewing zone 332, and right viewing zone 334. In this example, first set of electrode strips 320 correspond to left viewing zone 330, and second set of electrode strips 322 correspond to center viewing zone 332 and right viewing zone 334.

[0031] In this example, system 300 applies a voltage to LC layer 310 through an electrical connection between singular electrical strip 324 on second substrate 314 and first set of electrodes 320 on first substrate 312. LC layer 310 includes a piezo material which expands and contracts to alter the angle of light provided from light sources toward first set of electrodes 320. In this example, the light may be raised in the direction of left viewing zone 330 and lowered in the direction of center viewing zone 332 and right viewing zone 334. In particular, by activating voltages of first set of electrodes 320 and deactivating voltages of second set of electrodes 322, the light is directed to the openings or apertures between first set of electrodes 320 on the left side of panel 302 toward left viewing zone 330 and away from the opening or apertures between second set of electrodes 322 in the center and right side of panel 302.

[0032] By directing the light to the apertures between first set of electrodes 320, the content displayed on panel 302 is enabled or increased in visibility to a user on the left side of system 300 (e.g., between -85 degrees and - 45 degrees). Further, by directing the light away from the openings or apertures between second set of electrodes 322, content or images displayed on panel 302 are obscured from view from bystanders who are in a center line of sight or on the right side of panel 302 (e.g., between -45 degrees and + 85 degrees).

[0033] Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of a computing device to enable an image to be displayed in a private viewing zone, according to another example. Computing device 400 includes processor 402, controller 404, input sensor 406, and storage medium 408. As an example of computing device 400 performing its operations, storage medium 408 may include instructions 410-416 that are executable by processor 402. Thus, storage medium 408 may be said to store program instructions that, when executed by processor 402, implement the components of computing device 400.

[0034] In particular, the executable instructions stored in storage medium 408 include, as an example, instructions 410 to determine an alignment error between a first electrode layer of a display and a second electrode layer of the display. An LC layer is placed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The first electrode layer of the display may include an array of electrode strips and the second electrode layer of the display may include a single electrode strip. The alignment error may occur due to manufacturing errors, shifts during transportation, degradation or damage of materials, etc. In some scenarios, the alignment error may be detected upon setting up computing device 400 and a user calibrating the alignment of the panel. In other scenarios, the alignment error may be determined in real-time by the user.

[0035] The executable instructions stored in storage 408 include, as an example, instructions 412 to detect an activation of a privacy mode for the display. The activation of the privacy mode may be initiated by a command selection made by the user. In other examples, the activation of the privacy mode may be initiated based on a time of day, a network connection type, an application usage, etc.

[0036] The executable instructions stored in storage medium 408 also include, as an example, instructions 414 to identify a private viewing zone for the display. In some examples, the private viewing zone for the display may be identified by identifying a location of a user of electronic device 400 and determine the private viewing zone for the display based on the location of the user. The location of the user may be determined by input sensor 406. Input sensor 406 may include a camera or user proximity sensor. The user may be selected from a group of users based on the user’s distance from the screen (e.g., the user closest to electronic device 400), facial or voice recognition, a hand gesture, or some other indication of the user of electronic device 400. [0037] The privacy mode may initiate a contraction or expansion of the viewable angle based on a number of users. For example, if the privacy mode is activated for one user, the angle in which the content is visible to the user may be narrower (e.g., between -30 degrees and -60 degrees). However, in other examples, the privacy mode may be activated for two users in which the content is visible to the users at a wider angle (e.g., between -30 degrees and - 85 degrees).

[0038] The executable instructions stored in storage medium 408 also include, as an example, instructions 416 to determine, based on the private viewing zone and the alignment error between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, a region of the first electrode layer to activate which enables content to be displayed in the private viewing zone of the display. In some examples, a first set of electrode strips of an array of electrode strips are activated to enable a light source to emit light through the LC layer in the direction of the first set of electrode strips of the array of electrode strips. In this example, the light emitted through the LC layer in the direction of the first set of electrode strips of the array of electrode strips corresponds to a first pixel of the display.

[0039] In some examples, the executable instructions stored in storage medium 408 also include, as an example, instructions to detect an activation of a shared mode for the display. In response to identifying the shared mode, the executable instructions stored in storage media 408 may include instructions to identify a shared viewing zone for the display, such as a combination of viewing zones or all viewing zones (e.g., +/- 85 degrees). Based on the selection of the shared viewing zone, the executable instructions stored in storage medium 408 also include, as an example, instructions to activate the electrode strips of the first electrode layer to enable the content to be displayed in the shared viewing zone of the display.

[0040] Storage medium 408 represents any number of memory components capable of storing instructions that may be executed by processor 402. As a result, a memory system may be implemented in a single device or distributed across devices. In some examples, storage medium 408 is a non-transitory storage medium, where the term “non-transitory” does not encompass transitory propagating signals. Processor 402 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a semiconductorbased microprocessor, and/or other hardware devices suitable for retrieval and execution of instructions stored in computer-readable storage medium 408. Processor 402 represents any number of processors capable of executing instructions stored by storage medium 408. Storage medium 408 may be fully or partially integrated in the same device as processor 402, or storage medium 408 may be separate but accessible to the same device as processor 402.

[0041] Figure 5 illustrates a system to display content in a private viewing zone based on a tolerance error, according to an example. System 500 includes panel 502. Panel 502 includes first electrode layer 512 and second electrode layer 514. As illustrated in Figure 5, first electrode layer 512 and second electrode layer 514 are misaligned. First electrode layer 512 includes first set of electrode strips 520 and second set of electrode strips 522. Second electrode layer 514 includes single electrode strip 524. Between first electrode layer 512 and second electrode layer 514, Figure 5 illustrates LC layer 510. System 500 also includes left viewing zone 530, center viewing zone 532, and right viewing zone 534. [0042] In this example, system 500 determines an alignment error between first electrode layer 512 and second electrode layer 514. Based on the determined alignment error, first set of electrodes 520 are selected. System 500 then applies a voltage to LC layer 510 through an electrical connection between singular electrical strip 522 on second substrate 514 and first set of electrodes 520 on first substrate 512. LC layer 510 includes a piezo material which expands and contracts to alter the angle of light provided from light sources toward first set of electrodes 520.

[0043] Still referring to Figure 5, the light may be raised in the direction of center viewing zone 532 and lowered in the direction of left viewing zone 530 and right viewing zone 534. In particular, by activating voltages of first set of electrodes 520 and deactivating voltages of second set of electrodes 522, the light is directed to the openings or apertures between first set of electrodes 520 on the left side of panel 502 toward center viewing zone 532 and away from the opening or apertures between second set of electrodes 522 in the center and right side of panel 502.

[0044] Figure 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 600 to enable content to be displayed in a private viewing zone, according to some examples. Method 600 is associated with examples discussed herein with regard to Figures 1-5, and details of the operations shown in this method may be found in the related discussion of such examples. Some or all of the blocks of method 600 may be implemented in program instructions in the context of a component or components of an application used to carry out the enabling of a private viewing zone for a display.

[0045] Although the flow diagram of Figure 6 shows a specific order of execution, the order of execution may differ from that which is depicted. For example, the order of execution of two of more blocks shown in succession by be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence. All such variations are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0046] Referring parenthetically to the blocks in Figure 6, method 600 provides a controller (e.g., controller 104 or 404) which determines an alignment error between an electrode strip array layer (e.g., first substrate 112 coupled to electrodes 120, first substrate 212 coupled to electrodes 220, first substrate 312 coupled to electrodes 320, or first electrode layer 512 coupled to electrodes 520) of a panel (e.g., panel 102, 202, 302, or 502) and a singular electrode strip layer (e.g., second substrate 114, second substrate 214 coupled to electrode 224, second substrate 314 coupled to electrode 324, or second electrode layer 514 coupled to electrode 524) of the panel, at block 601 . The alignment error may occur due to a manufacturing error or due to a shift in the electrode strip layers during transportation of the display. The alignment error may be determined by a in user or system during an initial setup of the display or in real-time by an application or user interacting with the display.

[0047] Method 600 further includes the controller detecting an activation of a privacy mode for the panel, at block 602. The privacy mode may be activated by a user, a time of day, a type of network connection, an application running on an electronic device which interacts with the display, etc. At block 603, method 600 provides that a private viewing zone of the panel is identified. The private viewing zone may be determined by the controller based on a user selection of a private viewing zone. The private viewing zone may also be determined by the user based on input data from an input device (e.g., input sensor 406). The input device may be a camera or proximity sensor which may detect the presence of the user or users. [0048] Method 600 provides the controller activating, based on the private viewing zone and the alignment error between the electrode strip array layer and the singular electrode strip layer, a first set of electrode strips of the electrode strips of the electrode strip array layer, at block 604. At block 605, method 600 provides that the singular electrode strip layer is activated by the controller to enable an image to be displayed in the private viewing zone of the panel.

[0049] The functional block diagrams, operational scenarios and sequences, and flow diagrams provided in the Figures are representative of example systems, environments, and methodologies for performing novel aspects of the disclosure. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, methods included herein may be in the form of a functional diagram, operational scenario or sequence, or flow diagram, and may be described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the methods are not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance therewith, occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a method could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all acts illustrated in a methodology may be included as a novel example.

[0050] It is appreciated that examples described may include various components and features. It is also appreciated that numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the examples. However, it is appreciated that the examples may be practiced without limitations to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the examples. Also, the examples may be used in combination with each other.

[0051] Reference in the specification to “an example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one example, but not necessarily in other examples. The various instances of the phrase “in one example” or similar phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same example.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An electronic device comprising: a display including: a panel; and a liquid crystal (LC) layer placed between a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein the first substrate includes a plurality of electrode strips; and a controller to: detect an activation of a privacy mode for the electronic device which enables a display of content in a first region of the panel and obscures a display of content in a second region of the panel; identify a first location of a user with respect to the display, wherein the first location of the user corresponds to the first region of the panel; and in response to the activation of the privacy mode and the determination of the first location of the user, activate a first set of electrode strips of the plurality of electrode strips for the first substrate to enable content to be displayed in the first region of the panel.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the controller deactivates a second set of electrode strips of the plurality of electrode strips for the substrate to obscure content to be displayed in the second region of the panel. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the controller is further to: determine an alignment error between the first substrate and the second substrate; and activate the first set of electrode strips of the plurality of electrode strips by determining that the first set of electrode strips corresponds to the first region of the display based on the alignment error between the first substrate and the second substrate. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the first location of user of the electronic device is determined by detecting a location of the user closest to the display in response to the activation of the privacy mode for the display. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the controller is further to: monitor a movement of the user to from the first location to a second location which corresponds to the second region of the display; based on the second location of the user, activate a second set of electrode strips of the plurality of electrode strips for the first substrate to enable the content to be displayed in the second region of the display; and deactivate the first set of electrode strips of the plurality of electrode strips for the first substrate to obscure the content displayed in the first region of the display. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein, the first set of electrode strips of the plurality of electrode strips are associated with a first pixel of the display and wherein, light for the pixel is emitted by the display when the first set of electrode strips are activated. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein, the first location of the user with respect to the display is detected by a camera included in the electronic device. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising a set of instructions that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: determine an alignment error between a first electrode layer of a display and a second electrode layer of the display, wherein a Liquid Crystal (LC) layer is placed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer; detect an activation of a privacy mode for the display; identify a private viewing zone for the display; determine, based on the private viewing zone and the alignment error between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, a region of the first electrode layer to activate which enables content to be displayed in the private viewing zone of the display. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8 wherein, to identify the private viewing zone for the display, the set of instructions identify a location of a user of an electronic device and determine the private viewing zone for the display based on the location of the user. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 9 wherein, the user of the electronic device and the location of the user are identified using a camera of the electronic device. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8 wherein, the first electrode layer of the display comprises an array of electrode strips and the second electrode layer of the display comprises a single electrode strip. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 wherein, to determine the region of the first electrode layer to activate based on the private viewing zone and the alignment error between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, the program instructions cause the processor to activate a first set of electrode strips of the array of electrode strips to enable a light source to emit light through the LC layer in the direction of the first set of electrode strips of the array of electrode strips. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 12 wherein, the light source emitted through the LC layer in the direction of the first set of electrode strips of the array of electrode strips corresponds to a first pixel of the display. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 12 wherein, the set of instructions further cause the processor to: detect an activation of a share mode for the display; identify a shared viewing zone for the display; and

- 22 - activate the first electrode layer to enable the content to be displayed in the shared viewing zone of the display. A method comprising: determining an alignment error between an electrode strip array layer of a panel and a singular electrode strip layer of the panel; detecting an activation of a privacy mode for the panel; identifying a private viewing zone of the panel based on a determined location of the user with respect to the panel; activating, based on the private viewing zone and the alignment error between the electrode strip array layer and the singular electrode strip layer, a first set of electrode strips of the electrode strip array layer; and activating the singular electrode strip layer to enable an image to be displayed in the private viewing zone of the panel.

- 23 -