A helmet and a method and system for controlling a digital visor of a helmet are disclosed herein. The helmet includes a visor screen having a plurality of liquid crystal display (LCD) pixels, with each LCD pixel configured to alter in transparency. The helmet also includes a light sensor configured to detect incident light. The helmet also includes a controller coupled to the visor screen and the light sensor. The controller is configured to alter the transparency of the plurality of LCD pixels based on the incident light. In embodiments, the controller can alter the transparency of the LCD pixels based on the direction and/or intensity of the incident light.

A helmet and a method and system for controlling a digital visor of a helmet are disclosed herein. The helmet includes a visor screen having a plurality of liquid crystal display (LCD) pixels, with each LCD pixel configured to alter in transparency. The helmet also includes a light sensor configured to detect incident light. The helmet also includes a controller coupled to the visor screen and the light sensor. The controller is configured to alter the transparency of the plurality of LCD pixels based on the incident light. In embodiments, the controller can alter the transparency of the LCD pixels based on the direction and/or intensity of the incident light.

Example display devices include a waveguide configured to propagate visible light under total internal reflection in a direction parallel to a major surface of the waveguide. The waveguide has formed thereon an outcoupling element configured to outcouple a portion of the visible light in a direction normal to the major surface of the waveguide. The example display devices additionally include a polarization-selective notch reflector disposed on a first side of the waveguide and configured to reflect visible light having a first polarization while transmitting the portion of the visible light having a second polarization. The example display devices further include a polarization-independent notch reflector disposed on a second side of the waveguide and configured to reflect visible light having the first polarization and the second polarization, where the polarization-independent notch reflector is configured to convert a polarization of visible light reflecting therefrom.

Example display devices include a waveguide configured to propagate visible light under total internal reflection in a direction parallel to a major surface of the waveguide. The waveguide has formed thereon an outcoupling element configured to outcouple a portion of the visible light in a direction normal to the major surface of the waveguide. The example display devices additionally include a polarization-selective notch reflector disposed on a first side of the waveguide and configured to reflect visible light having a first polarization while transmitting the portion of the visible light having a second polarization. The example display devices further include a polarization-independent notch reflector disposed on a second side of the waveguide and configured to reflect visible light having the first polarization and the second polarization, where the polarization-independent notch reflector is configured to convert a polarization of visible light reflecting therefrom.

A liquid crystal light control element that controls a light absorption state by voltage application, the liquid crystal light control element including: a liquid crystal layer containing a liquid crystal composition between a pair of substrates each having an electrode; and a liquid crystal alignment film that is provided on at least one of the substrates and aligns a liquid crystal vertically, wherein the liquid crystal composition contains a liquid crystal and a dichroic dye, the liquid crystal alignment film is obtained from a liquid crystal aligning agent containing a polyimide precursor in which a diamine having a specific side chain is used as a part of the raw material or a polyimide obtained by imidizing the polyimide precursor, and the proportion of the diamine used is 50 to 100 mol % based on the entire diamine component.

An optical system including a lighting component and a switchable diffuser in optical communication with the lighting component. The optical system may further include a low absorbing optical component. At least one outer surface of the switchable diffuser and/or the low absorbing optical component includes light redirecting structures. When the switchable diffuser is in a first state and the optical system produces a light output, the light redirecting structures are configured to increase the full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the light output of the optical system in at least one direction by at least 5 degrees relative to that of an otherwise equivalent optical system that does not include the light redirecting structures.

An optical system including a lighting component and a switchable diffuser in optical communication with the lighting component. The optical system may further include a low absorbing optical component. At least one outer surface of the switchable diffuser and/or the low absorbing optical component includes light redirecting structures. When the switchable diffuser is in a first state and the optical system produces a light output, the light redirecting structures are configured to increase the full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the light output of the optical system in at least one direction by at least 5 degrees relative to that of an otherwise equivalent optical system that does not include the light redirecting structures.

Disclosed is an electronically-controlled automatic light-shading device, comprising a first glass substrate, a light-shading coating, a polarizing element and a second glass substrate. An image module and a photosensitive element adjacent thereto are embedded in the first glass substrate. The first glass substrate has a first surface on the opposite side to an external light source. The light-shielding coating is applied on the first surface. The polarizing element is disposed on the light-shielding coating. The second glass substrate has a second surface facing the first surface. A plurality of spacers in contact with the polarizing element are disposed on the second surface, and an optical fiber element is disposed in each spacer.

Disclosed is an electronically-controlled automatic light-shading device, comprising a first glass substrate, a light-shading coating, a polarizing element and a second glass substrate. An image module and a photosensitive element adjacent thereto are embedded in the first glass substrate. The first glass substrate has a first surface on the opposite side to an external light source. The light-shielding coating is applied on the first surface. The polarizing element is disposed on the light-shielding coating. The second glass substrate has a second surface facing the first surface. A plurality of spacers in contact with the polarizing element are disposed on the second surface, and an optical fiber element is disposed in each spacer.

Provided is a liquid crystal display device capable of switching between a transparent state and a scattering state, reducing or preventing a decrease in transmittance in the transparent state, and reducing or preventing a decrease in luminance in the panel central portion in the scattering state. The liquid crystal display device includes, sequentially from its viewing surface side toward its back surface side: a first liquid crystal panel; a light source; and a second liquid crystal panel, the first liquid crystal panel including a polymer dispersed liquid crystal containing a polymer network and liquid crystal components, the light source being configured to irradiate a back surface side main surface of the first liquid crystal panel with light from an oblique direction.