Reflective display apparatus

• US 10,191,349 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2017
• Issued: 01/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alpine Electronics Incorporated (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Alpine Electronics Incorporated (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Yasumoto, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Jeffery A
• Application Number:
  US15/591,391
• Publication Number:
  US 20180024409A1
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 348148
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/331 Electroluminescent elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/81 for controlling displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/20 characterised by the type of display used
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0141 characterised by the informative content of the display
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0194 with combiner of laminated type, for optical or mechanical aspects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13312 Circuits comprising photodetectors for purposes other than feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13318 Circuits comprising a photodetector
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1506 caused by electrodeposition, e.g. electrolytic deposition of an inorganic material on or close to an electrode
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 : Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/44 : Arrangements combining different electro-active layers, e.g. electrochromic, liquid crystal or electroluminescent layers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/58 : Arrangements comprising a monitoring photodetector
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/02 : reflective
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 : exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle

Abstract

A reflective display apparatus includes an image display panel including a liquid crystal panel and a backlight unit, a half mirror, and an electrochromic panel arranged in a layered manner. When the image display panel stops operating and power supply to the electrochromic panel is stopped, the half mirror reflects light coming from the rear of a vehicle and the reflected light is directed rearward. The reflected light enables a driver to check a situation behind the vehicle under such conditions.

Claims

1. A reflective display apparatus comprising:

an image display panel;

an electrochromic panel disposed adjacent to a display side of the image display panel;

a half mirror disposed between the image display panel and the electrochromic panel;

a controller that controls the image display panel and the electrochromic panel; and

,

a photodetector that senses external light;

wherein when the photodetector senses a light intensity below a predetermined value, the controller performs first control to drive the image display panel without applying a voltage across electrodes of the electrochromic panel; and

,

wherein when the photodetector senses a light intensity at or above the predetermined value, the controller performs second control to apply the voltage across the electrodes of the electrochromic panel without driving the image display panel.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the electrochromic panel includes

two opposed transparent substrates,

a transparent electrode disposed on an inner surface of each of the transparent substrates, and

an electrolyte layer interposed between the opposed transparent electrodes, the electrolyte layer containing a metal ion, and

wherein the metal ion is deposited on one of the transparent electrodes in response to application of voltage across the transparent electrodes, so that the electrochromic panel becomes a reflective panel.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the half mirror has a reflectance of 10% to 40%.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a camera that captures an image of an area behind a vehicle,

wherein the image display panel is capable of displaying the captured image of the area behind the vehicle.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when application of the voltage across the electrodes of the electrochromic panel is stopped during the second control, the controller continues a state in which the image display panel is not driven.