Display device and vehicle

• US 8,193,925 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2011
• Issued: 06/05/2012
• 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:
  US13/204,779
• Publication Number:
  US 20120033075A1
• Time in Patent Office: 302 Days
• Field of Search: 340435-441, 340/425.5, 3404261-430, 340/901, 340/903, 340/933, 345/76, 345/92, 257/71, 359/601
• 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 device comprising:

a mirror adapted to be mounted to a body of a vehicle;

a display device mounted in the mirror, the 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, and

a cover member covering the second electrode and fixed to the substrate by a sealing material; and

a camera operationally connected to the display device,

wherein the display device is configured to display information read from the camera, and wherein the display device is configured to emit light from the light emitting layer through the cover member.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the camera comprises a CCD camera.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the mirror is a side mirror.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the mirror is a back mirror.

5. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a driver circuit comprising a second thin film transistor formed over the substrate and operationally connected to the first thin film transistor.

6. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a central processing unit and a video signal processing section in the central processing unit, said video signal processing section being configured to be supplied with information read by the camera.

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein the second electrode is an anode.

8. A device comprising:

a mirror adapted to be mounted to a body of a vehicle;

a display device mounted in the mirror, wherein the 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, and

a cover member covering the second electrode and fixed to the substrate by a sealing material; and

a sensor for measuring a distance to another vehicle, the sensor being operationally connected to the display device; and

wherein the display device is configured to emit light from the light emitting layer through the cover member, and

wherein the display device is configured to display information based on information obtained by the sensor.

9. The device according to claim 8 wherein the mirror is a side mirror.

10. The device according to claim 8 wherein the mirror is a back mirror.

11. The device according to claim 8 further comprising a driver circuit comprising a second thin film transistor formed over the substrate and operationally connected to the first thin film transistor.

12. The device according to claim 8 further comprising a central processing unit and a video signal processing section in the central processing unit, said video signal processing section being configured to be supplied with information read by the sensor.

13. The device according to claim 8 wherein the second electrode is an anode.

14. A device comprising:

a mirror adapted to be mounted to a body of a vehicle;

a display device mounted in the mirror, wherein the 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, and

a cover member covering the second electrode and fixed to the substrate by a sealing material; and

a sensor for sensing an impact, the sensor being operationally connected to the display device; and

wherein the display device is configured to emit light from the light emitting layer through the cover member, and

wherein the display device is configured to display information based on information obtained by the sensor.

15. The device according to claim 14 wherein the mirror is a side mirror.

16. The device according to claim 14 wherein the mirror is a back mirror.

17. The device according to claim 14 further comprising a driver circuit comprising a second thin film transistor formed over the substrate and operationally connected to the first thin film transistor.

18. The device according to claim 14 further comprising a central processing unit and a video signal processing section in the central processing unit, said video signal processing section being configured to be supplied with information read by the sensor.

19. The device according to claim 14 wherein the second electrode is an anode.