Waveguide mirror display system
A vehicle display system is disclosed. The system comprises an electro-optic device configured to switch between a mirror state and a light-transmissive state. The electro-optic device comprises a first substrate and a second substrate forming a cavity. The cavity is configured to retain an electro-optic medium that is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. The system further comprises a substantially transparent display disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device. The electro-optic device is converted to the darkened state when the substantially transparent display is emitting light.
1. A vehicle display system, comprising:
an electro-optic device comprising:
a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces comprises a first electrically conductive layer;
a second substantially transparent substrate having third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein at least one of the third and fourth surfaces comprises a second electrically conductive layer;
an electro-optic medium disposed in a cavity formed between the first substantially transparent substrate and the second substantially transparent substrate, the electro-optic medium being variably transmissive;
a substantially transparent display disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device;
at least one display driver configured to display image data on the substantially transparent display; and
a controller in communication with the electro-optic device and the at least one display driver, wherein the controller is operable to:
control a transmission state of the electro-optic device between a transparent state and an opaque state; and
control the display driver to display the image data on the substantially transparent display.
2. The display system according to claim 1 , further comprising a reflective element disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device, wherein the reflective element is configured to reflect a reflected view of a rearward directed field of view from the vehicle.
3. The display system according to claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the electro-optic device to selectively control a mirror configuration of the display system in response to the transmission state of the electro-optic device.
4. The display system according to claim 3 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the display driver to display graphical data on the substantially transparent display.
5. The display system according to claim 4 , wherein the graphical data is displayed superimposed over the reflected view in a hybrid display configuration.
6. The display system according to claim 4 , wherein the controller is further in communication with one or more vehicle systems via a communication bus.
7. The display system according to claim 6 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive a status indicator from the one or more vehicle systems and control the display driver to display the status indicator as the graphical data on the substantially transparent display.
8. A vehicle display system, comprising:
an electro-optic device comprising:
a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces comprises a first electrically conductive layer;
a second substantially transparent substrate having third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein at least one of the third and fourth surfaces comprises a second electrically conductive layer;
an electro-optic medium disposed in a cavity formed between the first substantially transparent substrate and the second substantially transparent substrate, the electro-optic medium being variably transmissive; and
a substantially transparent display configured to display image data and disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device, wherein the electro-optic device is configured to adjust the variable transmission of the electro-optic medium to convert a transmission state of the electro-optic device between a transparent state and an opaque state.
9. The display system according to claim 8 , further comprising a controller and at least one display driver, wherein the controller is in communication with the electro-optic device and the at least one display driver.
10. The display system according to claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to:
communicate a transmission control signal configured to control the transmission state of the electro-optic device.
11. The display system according to claim 10 , wherein the controller is configured to:
control a contrast of the substantially transparent display based on the transmission state of the electro-optic device.
12. The display system according to claim 11 , wherein the substantially transparent display comprises at least one waveguide display element.
13. The display system according to claim 12 , wherein the at least one waveguide display element is configured to receive the image data from the at least one display driver.
14. The display system according to claim 11 , further comprising a reflective element disposed adjacent to the electro-optic element, wherein the reflective element is configured to reflect a reflected view of a rearward directed field of view from the vehicle.
15. The display system according to claim 14 , wherein the electro-optic device is configured to selectively control a mirror configuration of the display system in response to the transmission state of the electro-optic device.
16. The display system according to claim 14 , wherein the substantially transparent display is configured to superimpose the image data over the reflected view.
17. The display system according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one display driver is mounted along a portion of a perimeter of the substantially transparent display.
18. The display system according to claim 8 , wherein the electro-optic medium is an electrochromic medium.
19. The display system according to claim 8 , wherein the substantially transparent display forms the first substantially transparent substrate or the second substantially transparent substrate.
20. A vehicle display apparatus, comprising:
an electrochromic device comprising a reflective element, wherein the reflective element is configured to reflect a reflected view of a rearward directed field of view from the vehicle;
a substantially transparent display disposed adjacent to the electrochromic device;
at least one display driver configured to display image data on the substantially transparent display; and
a controller in communication with the electrochromic device and the at least one display driver, wherein the controller is operable to:
control the display apparatus to selectively control a transmission state of the electrochromic device to a mirror state and a substantially transparent state; and
control the display driver to display the image data on the substantially transparent display.