Multi-mode display using an electronically controlled mirror

• US 6,574,030 B1
• Filed: 05/18/2001
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Mosier, Donald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US09/861,310
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 359/237, 359/291, 359/495, 359/619, 359/618, 359/630, 359/627, 359/634, 359/267, 359/320, 359/275, 353/31, 353/33, 353/84, 353/94, 345/46, 345/83, 348/742, 348/751, 348/771, 349/8, 349/97, 349/9, 340/825.69
• US Class Current: 359/267
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0163 Electric or electronic control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/20 Filters polarising elements G02B5/30
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133605 including specially adapted reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133615 Edge-illuminating devices, i.e. illuminating from the side
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133626 providing two modes of illumination, e.g. day-night
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133628 with cooling means

Abstract

A display includes a light source and a filter positioned to receive light from the light source. An electronically controlled mirror can direct light through the filter in a first mode of operation and not through the filter in a second mode of operation. The display can be utilized in an avionics display system with night vision equipment. The electronically controlled mirror can be a reversible electrochemical mirror (REM).

Claims

1. A display including a light source, the display comprising:

an electronically controlled mirror; and

a filter, wherein the display provides light through the filter when the electronically controlled mirror is in a first mode, and wherein the light from the display is not provided through the filter when the electronically controlled mirror is in a second mode.

2. The display of claim 1, wherein the filter is an NVIS filter and the wavelength characteristic of the filter attenuates light in the infrared range.

3. The display of claim 1, wherein the electronically controlled mirror is a reversible electro-chemical mirror.

4. The display of claim 1, further comprising:

a second filter and a second electronically controlled mirror, wherein the light from the display is provided through the second mirror in a third mode.

5. The display of claim 4, wherein the light is provided through the electronically controlled mirror and the second electronically controlled mirror in a forth mode.

6. The display of claim 1, wherein the filter is disposed on a back surface of the electronically controlled mirror.

7. An avionic display system comprising:

a light source;

a filter; and

an electronically controlled mirror, wherein the filter is positioned to receive light from the light source when the electronically controlled mirror is in a first mode, wherein the electronically controlled mirror prevents light from reaching the filter in a second mode of operation.

8. The avionic display system of claim 7, wherein the filter is one of an NVIS filter, a green filter, and a blue filter.

9. The avionic display system of claim 7, further comprising:

a prism structure containing the filter and the electronically controlled mirror.

10. The avionic display system of claim 9, wherein the filter is disposed above a first surface of the prism structure, and the electronically controlled mirror is disposed above the filter.

11. The avionic display system of claim 10, wherein the first surface is a fixed mirror.

12. The avionic display system of claim 7, wherein the electronically controlled mirror is a reversible electrochemical mirror.

13. The avionic display system of claim 12, wherein the display includes at least two filters and at least two electronically controlled mirrors.

14. A method of operating a display system, the display system including a light source and a filter, the method comprising:

providing light from the light source in a first path including the filter when an electronically controlled mirror is in a first mode of operation; and

providing the light from the light source in a second path not including the filter when the electronically controlled mirror is in a second mode of operation.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first mode and second mode are controlled by a control signal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the filter is an NVIS filter.