Display device and vehicle

• US 7,176,790 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2001
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Yamazaki, Shunpei
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): TANG, SON M
• Application Number:
  US10/016,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20020080018A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,930 Days
• Field of Search: 340/937, 340/933, 340/425.5, 3404261-430, 340435-441, 340901-903
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• 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 1/27 providing all-round vision, e.g. using omnidirectional cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/20 characterised by the type of display used
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/301 combining image information with other obstacle sensor information, e.g. using RADAR/LIDAR/SONAR sensors for estimating risk of collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/305 merging camera image with lines or icons
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8033 for pedestrian protection
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/804 for lane monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8093 for obstacle warning

Abstract

A vehicle has a display device which widens the field of view (visible area) reflected by a side mirror or a back mirror mounted on the vehicle. To enable a driver driving the vehicle to confirm safety even when it is difficult for the driver to visually recognize some of objects surrounding the vehicle, a liquid crystal display device or an EL display device is provided in the side mirror (door mirror), the back mirror (room mirror) or in an interior portion of the vehicle. A camera is mounted on the vehicle and an image from the camera is displayed on the display device. Further, information read from a sensor (distance measuring sensor) having the function of measuring the distance to another vehicle, and a sensor (impact sensor) having the function of sensing an externally applied impact force larger than a predetermined value is displayed on the display device.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a side mirror;

a camera;

a display device mounted in the side mirror, said display device comprising a substrate, a first thin film transistor formed over the substrate, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the first thin film transistor, a light emitting layer adjacent to the pixel electrode, a second electrode adjacent to the light emitting layer wherein the light emitting layer is disposed between the pixel electrode and the second electrode, a cover member covering the second electrode and fixed to the substrate by a sealing material, and a driver circuit comprising a second thin film transistor formed over the substrate and operationally connected to the first thin film transistor,

wherein the display device displays information read from the camera, and

wherein the display device emits light from the light emitting layer through the cover member.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the camera comprises a CCD camera.

3. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a half mirror is provided in the side mirror.

4. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display device.

5. A vehicle comprising:

a back mirror;

a camera;

a display device mounted in the back mirror, said display device comprising a substrate, a first thin film transistor formed over the substrate, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the first thin film transistor, a light emitting layer adjacent to the pixel electrode, a second electrode adjacent to the light emitting layer wherein the light emitting layer is disposed between the pixel electrode and the second electrode, a cover member covering the second electrode and fixed to the substrate by a sealing material, and a driver circuit comprising a second thin film transistor formed over the substrate and operationally connected to the first thin film transistor,

wherein the display device displays information read from the camera, and

wherein the display device emits light from the light emitting layer through the cover member.

6. A vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the camera comprises a CCD camera.

7. A vehicle according to claim 5, wherein a half mirror is provided in the back mirror.

8. A vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display device.

9. A vehicle comprising:

a side mirror;

a camera;

a central processing unit;

a video signal processing section in the central processing unit, said video signal processing section being supplied with information read by the camera;

a control circuit being supplied with a video signal from the central processing unit; and

a display device mounted in the side mirror, said display device being supplied with the video signal and a timing signal from the control circuit,

wherein said display device comprises a substrate, a first thin film transistor formed over the substrate, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the first thin film transistor, a light emitting layer adjacent to the pixel electrode, a second electrode adjacent to the light emitting layer wherein the light emitting layer is disposed between the pixel electrode and the second electrode, a cover member covering the second electrode and fixed to the substrate by a sealing material, and a driver circuit comprising a second thin film transistor formed over the substrate and operationally connected to the first thin film transistor, and

wherein the display device emits light from the light emitting layer through the cover member.

10. A vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the camera comprises a CCD camera.

11. A vehicle according to claim 9, wherein a half mirror is provided in the side mirror.

12. A vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display device.

13. A vehicle comprising:

a back mirror;

a camera;

a central processing unit;

a video signal processing section in the central processing unit, said video signal processing section being supplied with information read by the camera;

a control circuit being supplied with a video signal from the central processing unit; and

a display device mounted in the back mirror, said display device being supplied with the video signal and a timing signal from the control circuit,

wherein said display device comprises a substrate, a first thin film transistor formed over the substrate, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the first thin film transistor, a light emitting layer adjacent to the pixel electrode, a second electrode adjacent to the light emitting layer wherein the light emitting layer is disposed between the pixel electrode and the second electrode, a cover member covering the second electrode and fixed to the substrate by a sealing material, and a driver circuit comprising a second thin film transistor formed over the substrate and operationally connected to the first thin film transistor, and

wherein the display device emits light from the light emitting layer through the cover member.

14. A vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the camera comprises a CCD camera.

15. A vehicle according to claim 13, wherein a half mirror is provided in the back mirror.

16. A vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display device.

17. A vehicle comprising:

a side mirror;

a sensor for measuring a distance to another vehicle; and

a display device mounted in the side mirror, said display device displaying information read from the sensor,

wherein said display device comprises a substrate, a first thin film transistor formed over the substrate, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the first thin film transistor, a light emitting layer adjacent to the pixel electrode, a second electrode adjacent to the light emitting layer wherein the light emitting layer is disposed between the pixel electrode and the second electrode, a cover member covering the second electrode and fixed to the substrate by a sealing material, and a driver circuit comprising a second thin film transistor formed over the substrate and operationally connected to the first thin film transistor, and

wherein the display device emits light from the light emitting layer through the cover member.

18. A vehicle according to claim 17, wherein a half mirror is provided in the side mirror.

19. A vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display device.

20. A vehicle comprising:

a back mirror;

a sensor for measuring a distance to another vehicle; and

a display device mounted in the back mirror, said display device displaying information read from the sensor,

wherein said display device comprises a substrate, a first thin film transistor formed over the substrate, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the first thin film transistor, a light emitting layer adjacent to the pixel electrode, a second electrode adjacent to the light emitting layer wherein the light emitting layer is disposed between the pixel electrode and the second electrode, a cover member covering the second electrode and fixed to the substrate by a sealing material, and a driver circuit comprising a second thin film transistor formed over the substrate and operationally connected to the first thin film transistor, and

wherein the display device emits light from the light emitting layer through the cover member.

21. A vehicle according to claim 20, wherein a half mirror is provided in the back mirror.

22. A vehicle according to claim 20, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display device.

23. A vehicle comprising:

a side mirror;

a sensor for measuring a distance to another vehicle;

a central processing unit;

a video signal processing section in the central processing unit, said video signal processing section being supplied with information read from the sensor;

a control circuit being supplied with a video signal from the central processing unit; and

a display device mounted in the side mirror, said display device being supplied with the video signal and a timing signal from the control circuit,

wherein said display device comprises a substrate, a first thin film transistor formed over the substrate, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the first thin film transistor, a light emitting layer adjacent to the pixel electrode, a second electrode adjacent to the light emitting layer wherein the light emitting layer is disposed between the pixel electrode and the second electrode, a cover member covering the second electrode and fixed to the substrate by a sealing material, and a driver circuit comprising a second thin film transistor formed over the substrate and operationally connected to the first thin film transistor, and

wherein the display device emits light from the light emitting layer through the cover member.

24. A vehicle according to claim 23, wherein a half mirror is provided in the side mirror.

25. A vehicle according to claim 23, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display device.

26. A vehicle comprising:

a back mirror;

a sensor for measuring a distance to another vehicle;

a central processing unit;

a video signal processing section in the central processing unit, said video signal processing section being supplied with information read from the sensor;

a control circuit being supplied with a video signal from the central processing unit; and

a display device mounted in the back mirror, said display device being supplied with the video signal and a timing signal from the control circuit,

wherein said display device comprises a substrate, a first thin film transistor formed over the substrate, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the first thin film transistor, a light emitting layer adjacent to the pixel electrode, a second electrode adjacent to the light emitting layer wherein the light emitting layer is disposed between the pixel electrode and the second electrode, a cover member covering the second electrode and fixed to the substrate by a sealing material, and a driver circuit comprising a second thin film transistor formed over the substrate and operationally connected to the first thin film transistor, and

wherein the display device emits light from the light emitting layer through the cover member.

27. A vehicle according to claim 26, wherein a half mirror is provided in the back mirror.

28. A vehicle according to claim 26, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display device.

29. A vehicle comprising:

a side mirror;

a sensor for sensing an impact; and

a display device mounted in the side mirror, said display device displaying information read from the sensor,

wherein said display device comprises a substrate, a first thin film transistor formed over the substrate, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the first thin film transistor, a light emitting layer adjacent to the pixel electrode, a second electrode adjacent to the light emitting layer wherein the light emitting layer is disposed between the pixel electrode and the second electrode, a cover member covering the second electrode and fixed to the substrate by a sealing material, and a driver circuit comprising a second thin film transistor formed over the substrate and operationally connected to the first thin film transistor, and

wherein the display device emits light from the light emitting layer through the cover member.

30. A vehicle according to claim 29, wherein a half mirror is provided in the side mirror.

31. A vehicle according to claim 29, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display device.

32. A vehicle comprising:

a back mirror;

a sensor for sensing an impact; and

a display device mounted in the back mirror, said display device displaying information read from the sensor,

wherein said display device comprises a substrate, a first thin film transistor formed over the substrate, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the first thin film transistor, a light emitting layer adjacent to the pixel electrode, a second electrode adjacent to the light emitting layer wherein the light emitting layer is disposed between the pixel electrode and the second electrode, a cover member covering the second electrode and fixed to the substrate by a sealing material, and a driver circuit comprising a second thin film transistor formed over the substrate and operationally connected to the first thin film transistor, and

wherein the display device emits light from the light emitting layer through the cover member.

33. A vehicle according to claim 32, wherein a half mirror is provided in the back mirror.

34. A vehicle according to claim 32, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display device.

35. A vehicle comprising:

a side mirror;

a sensor for sensing an impact;

a central processing unit;

a video signal processing section in the central processing unit, said video signal processing section being supplied with information read from the sensor;

a control circuit being supplied with a video signal from the central processing unit; and

a display device mounted in the side mirror, said display device being supplied with the video signal and a timing signal from the control circuit,

wherein said display device comprises a substrate, a first thin film transistor formed over the substrate, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the first thin film transistor, a light emitting layer adjacent to the pixel electrode, a second electrode adjacent to the light emitting layer wherein the light emitting layer is disposed between the pixel electrode and the second electrode, a cover member covering the second electrode and fixed to the substrate by a sealing material, and a driver circuit comprising a second thin film transistor formed over the substrate and operationally connected to the first thin film transistor, and

wherein the display device emits light from the light emitting layer through the cover member.

36. A vehicle according to claim 35, wherein a half mirror is provided in the side mirror.

37. A vehicle according to claim 35, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display device.

38. A vehicle comprising:

a back mirror;

a sensor for sensing and impact;

a central processing unit;

a video signal processing section in the central processing unit, said video signal processing section being supplied with information read from the sensor;

a control circuit being supplied with a video signal from the central processing unit; and

a display device mounted in the back mirror, said display device being supplied with the video signal and a timing signal from the control circuit,

wherein said display device comprises a substrate, a first thin film transistor formed over the substrate, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the first thin film transistor, a light emitting layer adjacent to the pixel electrode, a second electrode adjacent to the light emitting layer wherein the light emitting layer is disposed between the pixel electrode and the second electrode, a cover member covering the second electrode and fixed to the substrate by a sealing material, and a driver circuit comprising a second thin film transistor formed over the substrate and operationally connected to the first thin film transistor, and

wherein the display device emits light from the light emitting layer through the cover member.

39. A vehicle according to claim 38, wherein a half mirror is provided in the back mirror.

40. A vehicle according to claim 38, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display device.

41. A vehicle comprising:

a side mirror;

an impact sensor for sensing an impact;

an audio device having a speaker and a microphone;

an alarm device having an audio processing circuit and a control circuit;

a central processing unit supplied with an impact signal when the impact sensor senses an impact;

wherein the audio processing circuit and the control circuit are supplied with the impact signal from the central processing unit;

a microphone for warning of a danger given from a signal supplied from the audio processing circuit; and

a display device mounted in the side mirror, said display device displaying a warning based on a signal supplied from the control circuit,

wherein said display device comprises a substrate, a first thin film transistor formed over the substrate, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the first thin film transistor, a light emitting layer adjacent to the pixel electrode, a second electrode adjacent to the light emitting layer wherein the light emitting layer is disposed between the pixel electrode and the second electrode, a cover member covering the second electrode and fixed to the substrate by a sealing material, and a driver circuit comprising a second thin film transistor formed over the substrate and operationally connected to the first thin film transistor, and

wherein the display device emits light from the light emitting layer through the cover member.

42. A vehicle according to claim 41, wherein a half mirror is provided in the side mirror.

43. A vehicle according to claim 41, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display device.

44. A vehicle comprising:

a back mirror;

an impact sensor for sensing an impact;

an audio device having a speaker and a microphone;

an alarm device having an audio processing circuit and a control circuit;

a central processing unit supplied with an impact signal when the impact sensor senses an impact;

wherein the audio processing circuit and the control circuit are supplied with the impact signal from the central processing unit;

a microphone for warning of a danger given from a signal supplied from the audio processing circuit; and

a display device mounted in the back mirror, said display device displaying a warning based on a signal supplied from the control circuit,

wherein said display device comprises a substrate, a first thin film transistor formed over the substrate, a pixel electrode electrically connected to the first thin film transistor, a light emitting layer adjacent to the pixel electrode, a second electrode adjacent to the light emitting layer wherein the light emitting layer is disposed between the pixel electrode and the second electrode, a cover member covering the second electrode and fixed to the substrate by a sealing material, and a driver circuit comprising a second thin film transistor formed over the substrate and operationally connected to the first thin film transistor, and

wherein the display device emits light from the light emitting layer through the cover member.

45. A vehicle according to claim 44, wherein a half mirror is provided in the back mirror.

46. A vehicle according to claim 44, wherein the display device is a liquid crystal display device.