Liquid crystal windshield display

• US 5,920,363 A
• Filed: 06/09/1997
• Issued: 07/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Edward Rofe
• Original Assignee: Michael Edward Rofe
• Inventors: Rofe, Michael Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Parker, Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US08/870,879
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 349/11, 349/58, 349/96, 349/167, 349/158, 349/46
• US Class Current: 349/96
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/30 Polarising elements light-modulating devices with active elements G02F1/00

Abstract

The liquid crystal windshield display is a passive type display system utilizing an LCD, where the windshield acts as the LCD platform. Basically the same LCD technology that is currently used on many if not all calculators in use. Except whereas all LCDs currently in use, are in use in a reflective made, the liquid crystal windshield display utilizes LCD technology in a see-through mode.

Claims

1. A display for a vehicle comprising:

a first piece of glass;

a second piece of glass;

a layer of liquid crystal having a first perimeter to display information;

a first polarizing element having a second perimeter disposed to overlap said layer of liquid crystal and secured to said first piece of glass; and

a second polarizing element having a third perimeter disposed to overlap said layer of liquid crystal and secured to said second piece of glass, wherein said second and third perimeters are within said first perimeter when viewed by the intended viewer of said display.

2. A windshield assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a windshield;

a layer of liquid crystal having a first perimeter and associated with said windshield to display information from said windshield within a field of vision of an operator of the vehicle;

a first polarizing layer, having a second perimeter, disposed to overlap said layer of liquid crystal so that any polarized light passing through said layer of liquid crystal is due to said first polarizing layer; and

a second polarizing layer, having a third perimeter, disposed to overlap said layer of liquid crystal wherein said second and third perimeters are within said first perimeter when viewed by the intended viewer.

3. A display assembly comprising:

at least one piece of glass;

a layer of liquid crystal having a first perimeter and associated with said at least one piece of glass to display information from said at least one piece of glass within a field of vision of an operator of a vehicle;

a first polarizing layer, having a second perimeter, disposed to overlap said layer of liquid crystal so that any polarized light passing through said layer of liquid crystal is due to said first polarizing layer; and

a second polarizing layer, having a third perimeter, disposed to overlap said layer of liquid crystal wherein said second and third perimeters are within said first perimeter when viewed by the operator.

4. A display comprising:

a first piece of glass;

a second piece of glass congruent to and spaced apart from said first piece of glass to form a windshield for a vehicle, said first piece of glass and said second piece of glass defining a space therebetween;

a layer of liquid crystal having a first perimeter and disposed in said space to display information from the windshield;

a first polarizing element, having a second perimeter, disposed to overlap said layer of liquid crystal; and

a second polarizing element, having a third perimeter disposed to overlap said layer of liquid crystal, wherein said second and third perimeters are within said first perimeter when viewed by the intended viewer of said display.