IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,513,380
Granted Patent B2
US 11,513,380 · App. 16/897,577 · Granted Nov 29, 2022

Dual-sided transparent display panel

Inventor: Sean P. Rodrigues (Ann Arbor, MI)
Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
G02F1/1333G02B6/005G02B6/0065G02B6/0068G02F1/137G02F1/133723G02F1/133342
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,513,380
App. No.
16/897,577
Granted
Nov 29, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments of a dual-sided transparent display panel are presented herein. One embodiment comprises a first layer of electro-optic material, the first layer of electro-optic material including an outer surface and an inner surface; a second layer of electro-optic material, the second layer of electro-optic material including an outer surface and an inner surface; a waveguide disposed between the inner surface of the first layer of electro-optic material and the inner surface of the second layer of electro-optic material; one or more light sources disposed along an edge of the waveguide that is perpendicular to the inner and outer surfaces of the first and second layers of electro-optic material; a first grating coating adjacent to the outer surface of the first layer of electro-optic material; and a second grating coating adjacent to the outer surface of the second layer of electro-optic material.

Claims (15)

1. A dual-sided transparent display panel, comprising:

a first layer of electro-optic material, the first layer of electro-optic material including an outer surface and an inner surface;

a second layer of electro-optic material, the second layer of electro-optic material including an outer surface and an inner surface;

a waveguide disposed between the inner surface of the first layer of electro-optic material and the inner surface of the second layer of electro-optic material;

one or more light sources disposed along an edge of the waveguide that is perpendicular to the inner and outer surfaces of the first and second layers of electro-optic material;

a first grating coating adjacent to the outer surface of the first layer of electro-optic material; and

a second grating coating adjacent to the outer surface of the second layer of electro-optic material.

2. The dual-sided transparent display panel of claim 1 , wherein the first and second layers of electro-optic material are active liquid-crystal matrices.

3. The dual-sided transparent display panel of claim 1 , wherein the first and second layers of electro-optic material are passive liquid-crystal matrices.

4. The dual-sided transparent display panel of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second layers of electro-optic material includes a plurality of molecules, the plurality of molecules, in a first orientation, causing light from the one or more light sources to be reflected within the waveguide, the plurality of molecules, in a second orientation, permitting light from the one or more light sources to exit the waveguide.

5. The dual-sided transparent display panel of claim 1 , wherein the one or more light sources include red, blue, and green light sources.

6. The dual-sided transparent display panel of claim 5 , wherein the red, blue, and green light sources are lasers.

7. The dual-sided transparent display panel of claim 5 , wherein the red, blue, and green light sources are light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

8. The dual-sided transparent display panel of claim 1 , further comprising a light-blocking element disposed on an outer surface of each of the first and second grating coatings to prevent light from the one or more light sources from leaking from a predetermined portion of the dual-sided transparent display panel adjacent to the edge of the waveguide that is perpendicular to the inner and outer surfaces of the first and second layers of electro-optic material.

9. The dual-sided transparent display panel of claim 1 , wherein the waveguide is made of glass.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2022
From: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 062091/0104 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 17, 2022
From: RODRIGUES, SEAN P.
To: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 061443/0361 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2020
From: RODRIGUES, SEAN P.
To: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Reel/Frame 052928/0228 →
Continuity (1)
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