Optical pattern for preventing image noise of camera integrated into display

Abstract

A vehicle includes a window having a display. The display includes a substrate, a light source disposed at a first location of the substrate, a light sensor disposed at a second location of the substrate, and a first optical medium disposed on the substrate above the light source. The first optical medium includes a surface at an angle that prevents light from the light source from passing through the first optical medium and entering the light sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The subject disclosure relates to interactive displays for use in vehicles, and more particularly to interactive displays that prevent light from a light source of the interactive display from interfering at a light sensor of the interactive display. Background Art

[0002] An interactive display may be used on a vehicle to allow a user to interact with the vehicle. The interactive display may be disposed in a window of the vehicle and includes a light source for providing information to the user and a sensor for receiving information from the user. Light from the light source may cause light interference at the sensor, which is typically the result of reflection. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an interactive display that reduces or prevents light from the light source from causing light interference at the sensor. Summary of the invention

[0003] In an exemplary embodiment, a display is disclosed. The display includes a substrate, a light source disposed at a first position of the substrate, a light sensor disposed at a second position of the substrate, and a first optical medium disposed on the substrate above the light source. The first optical medium includes a surface at a certain angle, and the angle prevents light from the light source from passing through the first optical medium and entering the light sensor.

[0004] In addition to one or more features described herein, the surface is a curved surface between the first position and the second position within a plane that is perpendicular to the substrate and includes the first position and the second position.

[0005] In addition to one or more features described herein, the surface is parabolic in shape, and the focus of the parabola is located at the first location.

[0006] In addition to one or more features described herein, the surface is oriented such that light from the light source is incident at the surface at an angle greater than a critical angle for total internal reflection.

[0007] In addition to one or more features described herein, the display also includes an opening in the first optical medium above the light sensor, wherein the second optical medium fills the opening and contacts the first optical medium, wherein a first refractive index of the first optical medium is greater than a second refractive index of the second optical medium.

[0008] In addition to one or more features described herein, the surface is parallel to the substrate and includes a recess in the surface disposed at a location between the light source and an adjacent light source.

[0009] In another exemplary embodiment, a window for a vehicle is disclosed. The window includes a display. The display includes a substrate, a light source disposed at a first location on the substrate, a light sensor disposed at a second location on the substrate, and a first optical medium disposed on the substrate above the light source. The first optical medium includes a surface at a certain angle, and the angle prevents light from the light source from passing through the first optical medium and entering the light sensor.

[0010] In addition to one or more features described herein, the surface is a curved surface between the first position and the second position within a plane that is perpendicular to the substrate and includes the first position and the second position.

[0011] In addition to one or more features described herein, the surface is parabolic in shape, and the focus of the parabola is located at the first location.

[0012] In addition to one or more features described herein, the surface is oriented such that light from the light source is incident at the surface at an angle greater than a critical angle for total internal reflection.

[0013] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first optical medium further comprises an opening above the light sensor, wherein the second optical medium fills the opening and contacts the first optical medium, wherein a first refractive index of the first optical medium is greater than a second refractive index of the second optical medium.

[0014] In addition to one or more features described herein, the second optical medium is an optical bonding material that bonds the first pane of the window to the second pane of the window.

[0015] In addition to one or more features described herein, the surface is parallel to the substrate and includes a recess in the surface disposed at a location between the light source and an adjacent light source.

[0016] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a window having a display. The display includes a substrate, a light source disposed at a first location on the substrate, a light sensor disposed at a second location on the substrate, and a first optical medium disposed on the substrate above the light source. The first optical medium includes a surface at a certain angle, and the angle prevents light from the light source from passing through the first optical medium and entering the light sensor.

[0017] In addition to one or more features described herein, the surface is a curved surface between the first position and the second position within a plane that is perpendicular to the substrate and includes the first position and the second position.

[0018] In addition to one or more features described herein, the surface is parabolic in shape, and the focus of the parabola is located at the first location.

[0019] In addition to one or more features described herein, the surface is oriented such that light from the light source is incident at the surface at an angle greater than a critical angle for total internal reflection.

[0020] In addition to one or more features described herein, the first optical medium further comprises an opening above the light sensor, wherein the second optical medium fills the opening and contacts the first optical medium, wherein a first refractive index of the first optical medium is greater than a second refractive index of the second optical medium.

[0021] In addition to one or more features described herein, the second optical medium is an optical bonding material that bonds the first pane of the window to the second pane of the window.

[0022] In addition to one or more features described herein, the surface is parallel to the substrate and includes a recess in the surface disposed at a location between the light source and an adjacent light source.

[0023] The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, which refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 A vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0026] Figure 2 The circuit of the interactive display is shown;

[0027] Figure 3 shows a front view of an interactive display in an illustrative embodiment;

[0028] Figure 4 shows a side cross-sectional view of a circuit in one embodiment;

[0029] Figure 5 shows a side cross-sectional view of a circuit in a second embodiment;

[0030] Figure 6 A side cross-sectional view showing a circuit in a third embodiment; and

[0031] Figure 7 A side cross-sectional view of a vehicle window is shown in an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts and features.

[0033] According to an exemplary embodiment, Figure 1 A vehicle 100 is shown. The vehicle 100 includes a window 102 having an interactive display 104 embedded therein. The window 102 may be any window of the vehicle 100, including a windshield, a side window, a rear window, etc. Additionally, the window 102 may be a glass surface of an object, such as a mirror, etc. In various embodiments, the interactive display may be disposed on an opaque surface of the vehicle 100. The interactive display 104 is coupled to a processor 106, which controls the operation of the interactive display to interact with a user.

[0034] Figure 2 A circuit 200 of an interactive display 104 is shown. The circuit 200 is formed on a substrate 202 and includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a first array. A source driver 204 provides a source line 206 extending in a first direction (e.g., a vertical direction). A gate driver 208 provides a gate line 210 extending in a second direction (e.g., a horizontal direction). A light source 212 is disposed at the intersection of the source line 206 and the gate line 210, wherein a single light source (or multiple light sources) may be disposed at a single intersection. In various embodiments, the light source 212 may include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or micro-LEDs. A controller 214 controls the operation of the source driver 204 and the gate driver 208 to provide a signal for operating the light source 212. A second array on the substrate 202 includes a light sensor 216. For example, the light sensor 216 may be a camera. The light sensor 216 is connected to the processor 106 via a data line 218. This is due to the configuration of the circuit 200. Each light sensor 216 may be surrounded by a plurality of light sources 212.

[0035] Figure 3 A front view 300 of the interactive display 104 in an illustrative embodiment is shown. For purposes of illustration, the interactive display 104 is shown as a numeric keypad. The interactive display 104 includes numerals 302 formed by one or more light sources 212 and an input device 304 formed by one or more light sensors 216. The user reads the numeral (e.g., "1") and selects the numeral by placing a finger on the numeral, thereby blocking the light at the light sensor 216. This change in light intensity is recorded on the light sensor 216 and sent to the processor 110.

[0036] Figure 4A side cross-sectional view 400 of the circuit 200 in one embodiment is shown. The side cross-sectional view 400 shows a plurality of light sources 212a-f arranged in a row. A light sensor 216 is disposed at a position between two of the light sources 212a-f. For purposes of illustration, the light sensor 216 is located between the light source 212c and the light source 212d. An optical medium 402 is disposed on the substrate 202. The optical medium 402 covers the light sources 212a-f with an opening that exposes the light sensor 216 to the external environment. The refractive index of the optical medium 402 is greater than the refractive index of the external environment.

[0037] The optical medium 402 has a first surface 402a parallel to the plane of the substrate 202 and a second surface 402b forming a side of the opening. The second surface 402b intersects the substrate 202 between the first position including the light source 212c and the second position including the light sensor 216 (or alternatively between the light source 212d and the light sensor). The second surface 402b intersects the substrate 202 at an approximately perpendicular angle.

[0038] The transition surface 402c between the first surface 402a and the second surface 402b forms a curved surface. In various embodiments, the curved surface can be a parabola shape, in a plane perpendicular to the substrate 202, and includes the light sources 212a-f. The parabola is defined by a focus. The focus of the parabola is located at the light source 212c. Since the focus of the parabola is at the light source, the parabola is most effective in reflecting light and reducing scattered light or lost light. The light emitted from the light source 212c is reflected into the optical medium along parallel rays at the transition surface 402c, thereby reducing light interference at the light sensor 216.

[0039] Figure 5 A side cross-sectional view 500 of the circuit 200 in a second embodiment is shown. The side cross-sectional view 500 shows a plurality of light sources 212a-f arranged in a row and a light sensor 216 disposed between the light source 212c and the light source 212d. A first optical medium 502 is disposed on the substrate 202 and covers the light sources 212a-f, leaving an opening on the light sensor 216. A second optical medium 504 fills the opening and covers the light sensor 216. The first refractive index of the first optical medium 502 is greater than the second refractive index of the second optical medium 504. In another embodiment, the opening is not filled with the second optical medium 504. In other words, the second optical medium is air.

[0040] The first optical medium 502 includes a first surface 502a parallel to the plane of the substrate 202 and a second surface 502b forming a side of the opening. The second surface 502b forms an angle φ (0<φ<90°) with the plane of the substrate 202 and intersects the substrate between the light source 212c and the light sensor 216 (or between the light source 212d and the light sensor). The light from the light source 212c is incident on the second surface 502b at an incident angle greater than the critical angle of total internal reflection of the light. Therefore, the light from the light source 212c is prevented from causing optical interface interference at the light sensor 216.

[0041] Figure 6 A side cross-sectional view 600 of the circuit 200 in the third embodiment is shown. The side cross-sectional view 600 shows a plurality of light sources 212a-f arranged in a row, and a light sensor 216 disposed between light sources 212c and 212d. An optical medium 602 is disposed on the substrate 202 and covers the light sources 212a-f.

[0042] The optical medium 602 includes a first surface 602a parallel to the substrate 202 and a second surface 602b at an angle φ to the substrate, the second surface 602b intersecting the substrate between the light source 212c and the light sensor 216 (or between the light source 212d and the light sensor 216) to form an open space above the light sensor. The notch 602c can be formed between any two adjacent light sources (e.g., between the light source 212a and the light source 212b). The surface provided by the notch 602c is oriented so that light from the associated light sources (e.g., 212a and 212b) is incident on the surface of the notch at an angle greater than the critical angle of total internal reflection. Although only one notch 602c is shown for illustrative purposes, multiple notches can be formed between any of the multiple light sources.

[0043] Figure 7 A side cross-sectional view 700 of a window 102 of a vehicle 100 in an exemplary embodiment is shown. The side cross-sectional view 600 shows a first pane 702 and a second pane 704 of the window 102. An optical bonding material 706 is disposed between the first pane 702 and the second pane 704 to bond them together. The circuit 200 is disposed within the optical bonding material 706. The substrate 202 includes a plurality of light sources 212a-f arranged in a row, and a light sensor 216 is disposed between the light source 212c and the light source 212d. An optical medium 708 is disposed on the substrate 202 and covers the light sources 212a-f, leaving an opening on the light sensor 216. The optical bonding material 706 fills the opening and covers the light sensor 216. The first refractive index of the optical medium 708 is greater than the second refractive index of the optical bonding material 706. The optical medium 708 may have a refractive index such as Figure 3-6 Any shape shown.

[0044] Notice, Figure 4-7 The surface of the optical medium shown in is highly polished to obtain total internal reflection.

[0045] The terms "one" and "an" do not indicate a limitation of quantity, but rather indicate the presence of at least one of the referenced items. The term "or" means "and / or", unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. References to "an aspect" throughout the specification mean that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, step, or characteristic) described in conjunction with that aspect is included in at least one aspect described herein, and may or may not be present in other aspects. In addition, it should be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner in various aspects.

[0046] When an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0047] Unless otherwise indicated herein, all test standards are the most recent standards in effect as of the filing date of the present application or, if priority is claimed, the filing date of the earliest priority application in which the test standards appear.

[0048] Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0049] Although the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for its elements without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt specific situations or materials to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope of the disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within its scope.

Claims

1. A display comprising: substrate; a light source disposed at a first position on the substrate; a light sensor disposed at a second location on the substrate; as well as A first optical medium is disposed on the substrate above the light source, the first optical medium including a surface at an angle that prevents light from the light source from passing through the first optical medium and entering the light sensor.

2. The display according to claim 1, wherein: The surface is a curved surface located within a plane that is perpendicular to the substrate and includes the first position and the second position and between the first position and the second position.

3. The display according to claim 2, wherein: The surface is in the shape of a parabola, and the focus of the parabola is located at the first position.

4. The display of claim 1 further comprising an opening in the first optical medium above the light sensor, wherein a second optical medium fills the opening and contacts the first optical medium, wherein a first refractive index of the first optical medium is greater than a second refractive index of the second optical medium.

5. The display according to claim 1, wherein: The surface is parallel to the substrate and further includes a notch disposed in the surface at a position between the light source and an adjacent light source.

6. A window for a vehicle, comprising: Display, including: substrate; a light source disposed at a first position on the substrate; a light sensor disposed at a second location on the substrate; and A first optical medium is disposed on the substrate above the light source, the first optical medium including a surface at an angle that prevents light from the light source from passing through the first optical medium and entering the light sensor.

7. The window according to claim 6, wherein: The surface is a curved surface located within a plane that is perpendicular to the substrate and includes the first position and the second position and between the first position and the second position.

8. The window according to claim 7, wherein: The surface is in the shape of a parabola, and the focus of the parabola is located at the first position.

9. The window of claim 6 further comprising an opening in the first optical medium above the light sensor, wherein a second optical medium fills the opening and contacts the first optical medium, wherein a first refractive index of the first optical medium is greater than a second refractive index of the second optical medium.

10. The window according to claim 9, wherein: The surface is parallel to the substrate and further includes a notch disposed in the surface at a position between the light source and an adjacent light source.

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