Computer privacy screens reduce the viewing angle of a monitor, laptop or mobile phone. Some screens darken the display image while others make it blurry. They can be attached using adhesives, static electricity or by snapping or sliding over a monitor. Two main techniques are used to make them: blurry and blackout screens. Both techniques affect light transmission and are only effective at horizontal angles. They can be connected to devices using clips, stickers or static electricity.
A computer privacy screen is an accessory that can be used to reduce the viewing angle of a monitor, laptop or even a mobile phone. Some privacy screens cause the display image to darken when viewed from an angle, while others cause it to appear very blurry. The image will typically be clear when viewed from straight on and will become progressively more difficult to distinguish as the viewing angle increases. Some privacy screens are designed to snap or slide over a monitor, while others use adhesives or static electricity. In addition to offering increased security, a computer privacy screen can often protect against physical harm and provide some glare reduction.
Two main techniques are used to make computer privacy screens, both of which use similar layering technology that affects light transmission. A blurry computer privacy screen allows light to pass directly in front of it, but obscures what it would normally leave at an angle. This light can still escape, which is why the screen can be seen from an angle. Because the light is partially obscured, the image will appear blurry, leaving anyone standing on either side unable to read any text on the screen. Some of these privacy screens cause a slight blur when viewed directly.
Blackout computer privacy screens work in a similar way, but completely block the light that leaves the screen at an angle. This causes the screen to become progressively darker as the viewing angle increases, until no image is visible anymore. Similar to blur filters, some dark filters can cause a slight darkening of the image during normal use. Both techniques are only effective at horizontal angles and cannot block someone’s view above or below the screen. This means that a computer privacy screen for a tablet or mobile phone may be effective in landscape or portrait mode, but not both.
There are also several ways you can connect a computer privacy screen. Units designed for use with cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors can typically clip to the top of the display bezel or slide on the outside diameter. Some displays designed for use with liquid crystal displays (LCDs) also have this design. Other privacy filters can be attached directly to a laptop screen, with a sticker or through static electricity. Privacy screens on cell phones and tablets typically connect the same way, although they’re usually designed to cover the bezel of a device as well.
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