Windshield display and test system

Abstract

A display and test system for a vehicle having a display surface. The light source emits light when activated. The fiber optic cable has opposing first and second fiber ends. The first fiber end receives light from the light source, the light being directed to a second fiber end, the second fiber end emitting the light to the display surface. A piezoelectric actuator is coupled to the fiber optic cable adjacent to the second fiber end, which, when actuated, vibrates the second fiber end to project an image on the display surface when the light source is activated. The photodetector is configured to detect light, and the second fiber end receives an image reflected from the display surface and directs the image to the first fiber end. The first fiber end emits an image and directs it to a photodetector. The photodetector detects a function of the display surface according to the image when the light source is activated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a windshield display and test system for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Some vehicles include displays that present information to the vehicle occupants. Testing of displays is accomplished with a dedicated camera with a digital light processor. However, the use of a dedicated camera requires a specific camera position within the vehicle interior relative to the display location. This in turn limits the location of the display area that can be detected by the dedicated camera. Dedicated cameras can also compromise portions of the vehicle interior. Therefore, while these dedicated cameras can test some in-vehicle displays, there is a need in the field for a new, improved approach to testing in-vehicle displays that allows for more display options and interior locations. Summary of the invention

[0003] A vehicle display and test system for a display surface is provided. The system includes: a light source configured to emit light when activated; a fiber optic cable having a first fiber end and a second fiber end opposite the first fiber end, the first fiber end receiving light from the light source and directing the light from the light source to the second fiber end, the second fiber end emitting light toward the display surface; a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the fiber optic cable adjacent to the second fiber end, wherein when the light source is activated, the piezoelectric actuator is actuated to vibrate the second fiber end to project an image onto the display surface; and a photodetector configured to detect light, wherein the second fiber end receives an image reflected from the display surface and directs the image to the first fiber end, the first fiber end emits the image and directs the image to the photodetector, and when the light source is activated, the photodetector detects a function of the display surface based on the image.

[0004] In one aspect, a dichroic mirror is adjacent to the first optical fiber end, wherein a light source emits light to the dichroic mirror, the dichroic mirror directs the light emitted by the light source to the first optical fiber end, and the dichroic mirror allows an image emitted from the first optical fiber end to pass through the dichroic mirror to reach the photodetector.

[0005] In another aspect, a bandpass filter is disposed between the dichroic mirror and the photodetector, wherein the bandpass filter receives the image from the dichroic mirror, filters the image, and directs the filtered image to the photodetector.

[0006] In another aspect, a fiber combiner / splitter is coupled to a first fiber end, a light source, and a photodetector, wherein the fiber combiner / splitter directs light from the light source to the first fiber end and directs an image emitted from the first fiber end to the photodetector.

[0007] In another aspect, a bandpass filter is disposed between the photodetector and the fiber combiner / splitter, wherein the bandpass filter receives an image from the fiber combiner / splitter, filters the image, and directs the filtered image to the photodetector.

[0008] On the other hand, a controller is in electrical communication with the light source and the photodetector, the controller includes a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions so that the processor is programmed to: activate and deactivate the light source; determine the ambient illumination of the display surface by deactivating the light source and measuring the light received by the photodetector; and determine the function of the display surface displaying the image by activating the light source, measuring the image received by the photodetector and subtracting the ambient illumination, thereby determining the image based only on the light source and determining the function of the display surface displaying the image.

[0009] In another embodiment, a display and testing system for a vehicle having a display surface is provided. The system includes: a light source configured to emit light when activated; a first fiber optic cable and a second fiber optic cable, each having a first fiber optic end and a second fiber optic end opposite the first fiber optic end, the first fiber optic end of the first fiber optic cable receiving light from the light source and directing the light from the light source to the second fiber optic end of the first fiber optic cable, and the second fiber optic end of the first fiber optic cable emitting the light to a display surface; a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the first fiber optic cable adjacent to the second fiber optic end of the first fiber optic cable, and coupled to the second fiber optic cable adjacent to the second fiber optic end of the second fiber optic cable, wherein, when the light source is activated, the piezoelectric actuator is actuated to vibrate the second fiber optic end of the first fiber optic cable to project an image on the display surface, and to vibrate the second fiber optic end of the second fiber optic cable and the second fiber optic end of the first fiber optic cable; and a photodetector configured to detect light, wherein the second fiber optic end of the second fiber optic cable receives an image reflected from the display surface and directs the image to the first fiber optic end of the second fiber optic cable, the first fiber optic end of the second fiber optic cable emits the image and directs the image to the photodetector, and the photodetector detects a function of the display surface based on the image when the light source is activated.

[0010] On the one hand, a controller is in electrical communication with a light source, a photodetector, and a piezoelectric actuator, and the controller includes a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions so that the processor is programmed to: activate and deactivate the light source; when the light source is activated, activate the piezoelectric actuator to vibrate the second optical fiber end of the first optical fiber cable to project an image onto a display surface; and, when the light source is activated and the vibration of the piezoelectric actuator is activated, determine the function of the piezoelectric actuator to vibrate the first optical fiber cable and the second optical fiber cable by determining the image received by the photodetector from the display surface.

[0011] In another aspect, a bandpass filter is disposed between the first fiber end of the second fiber optic cable and the photodetector, wherein the bandpass filter receives an image from the first fiber end of the second fiber optic cable, filters the image, and directs the filtered image to the photodetector.

[0012] On the other hand, a controller is in electrical communication with the light source and the photodetector, the controller includes a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions so that the processor is programmed to: activate and deactivate the light source; determine the ambient illumination of the display surface by deactivating the light source and measuring the light received by the photodetector; and then determine the function of the display surface displaying the image by activating the light source, measuring the image received by the photodetector and subtracting the ambient illumination, thereby determining an image based only on the light source, and then the function of the display surface displaying the image is determined.

[0013] In another embodiment, a display and test system for a vehicle having a display surface is provided. The system includes a first light source, which is configured to emit a first light into a first fiber optic cable when activated; a second light source, which is configured to emit a second light into a second fiber optic cable when activated, the second light being different from the first light; a third light source, which is configured to emit a third light into a third fiber optic cable when activated, the third light being different from the first light and the second light; a first photodetector, which is configured to detect light received from a fourth fiber optic cable, and a piezoelectric actuator. When the first light source, the second light source, and the third light source are activated, the first light, the second light, and the third light are emitted to the display surface, respectively, and the piezoelectric actuator vibrates, causing the first light, the second light, and the third light to project an image on the display surface; the first photodetector receives a reflected image from the display surface through the fourth fiber optic cable, and detects a function of the display surface based on the image when at least one of the light sources is activated.

[0014] In one aspect, the fifth fiber optic cable has a first fiber end and a second fiber end opposite to the first fiber end, and the fiber combiner / splitter can be used to combine the light received from the plurality of fiber optic cables and to separate the received light between the plurality of fiber optic cables. The first fiber optic cable, the second fiber optic cable, and the third fiber optic cable transmit the first light, the second light, and the third light to the fiber optic combiner / splitter, and the fiber optic combiner / splitter guides the received first light, the second light, and the third light to the first fiber end, and the first fiber end guides the light received from the fiber optic combiner / splitter to the second fiber end; the piezoelectric actuator is coupled to the fifth fiber optic cable adjacent to the second fiber end, and vibrates the second fiber end when actuated, and the second fiber end transmits the light received from the first fiber end to the display surface, and the second fiber end receives the reflected image from the display surface and guides the image to the first fiber end, and the first fiber end transmits the image to the fiber combiner / splitter; the fiber optic combiner / splitter guides the image to the first photodetector through the fourth fiber optic cable.

[0015] On the other hand, a controller is in electrical communication with the light source, the piezoelectric actuator, and the first photodetector, the controller including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions so that the processor is programmed to: activate and deactivate the light source, determine the ambient illumination of the display surface by deactivating the light source and measuring the light received by the first photodetector; and then determine the function of the display surface displaying the image by activating the light source, measuring the image received by the first photodetector and subtracting the ambient illumination, thereby determining the function of the display surface displaying the image based only on the light source and then displaying the image.

[0016] On the other hand, a controller is in electrical communication with the light source, the piezoelectric actuator, and the first photodetector, and the controller includes a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions that program the processor to: activate and deactivate the plurality of light sources, respectively, so that a single light source is activated when all other light sources are deactivated; determine the functionality of the display surface to display the image relative to the first light source by activating the first light source when the second and third light sources are deactivated and measuring the image received by the first photodetector; determine the functionality of the display surface to display the image relative to the second light source by activating the second light source when the first and third light sources are deactivated and measuring the image received by the first photodetector; and determine the functionality of the display surface to display the image relative to the third light source by activating the third light source when the first and second light sources are deactivated and measuring the image received by the first photodetector.

[0017] On the other hand, the second photodetector is configured to detect light received from the fifth fiber optic cable, the third photodetector is configured to detect light received from the sixth fiber optic cable, and the seventh fiber optic cable and the eighth fiber optic cable each have a first fiber end and a second fiber end opposite to the first fiber end. The first fiber end of the seventh fiber optic cable receives the first light, the second light, and the third light and guides the received light to the second fiber end of the seventh fiber optic cable, and the second fiber end of the seventh fiber optic cable emits the received light to the display surface; the piezoelectric actuator is coupled to the seventh fiber optic cable adjacent to the second fiber end of the seventh fiber optic cable and coupled to the eighth fiber optic cable adjacent to the second fiber end of the eighth fiber optic cable; when the light source is activated, the piezoelectric actuator is actuated to vibrate the second fiber end of the seventh fiber optic cable to project an image on the display surface, and the piezoelectric actuator is actuated to vibrate the second fiber end of the eighth fiber optic cable and the second fiber end of the seventh fiber optic cable, the second fiber end of the eighth fiber optic cable receives the reflected image from the display surface and guides the image to the first fiber end of the eighth fiber optic cable; the first fiber end of the eighth fiber optic cable guides the image to the photodetector, and the photodetector detects the function of the display surface based on the received image when the light source is activated.

[0018] In another aspect, a fiber optic combiner is coupled to the first, second, and third fiber optic cables and to the first fiber end of a seventh fiber optic cable and directs the first, second, and third lights to the first fiber end of the seventh fiber optic cable.

[0019] On the other hand, each photodetector is configured to detect a different wavelength of light and also includes a bandpass filter that receives an image from the first optical fiber end of the eighth optical fiber cable, the bandpass filter filtering the image into three different filtered images, and sending the first filtered image to the first photodetector, the second filtered image to the second photodetector, and the third filtered image to the third photodetector.

[0020] On the other hand, a controller is in electrical communication with the light source, the piezoelectric actuator, and the photodetector, the controller including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions so that the processor is programmed to: activate and deactivate the light source, determine the ambient illumination of the display surface by deactivating the light source and measuring the light received by the photodetector, then determine the function of the display surface displaying an image by activating the light source, measuring the image received by the photodetector and subtracting the ambient illumination, thereby determining an image based only on the light source, and then the function of the display surface displaying the image is determined.

[0021] On the other hand, a controller is in electrical communication with the light sources, the photodetectors, and the piezoelectric actuator, the controller including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions such that the processor is programmed to: activate and deactivate the light sources; upon activating one or more light sources, activate the piezoelectric actuator to vibrate the second optical fiber end of the seventh optical fiber cable so that an image is projected onto a display surface, and vibrate the second optical fiber end of the eighth optical fiber cable and the second optical fiber end of the seventh optical fiber cable; and, when one or more light sources are activated and vibration of the piezoelectric actuator is activated, determine the function of the piezoelectric actuator to vibrate the second optical fiber end of the seventh optical fiber cable and the second optical fiber end of the eighth optical fiber cable by determining that an image from the display surface is received by one or more photodetectors.

[0022] On the other hand, a controller is in electrical communication with the light source, the piezoelectric actuator, and the photodetector, and the controller includes a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions so that the processor is programmed to: activate and deactivate the plurality of light sources, respectively, so as to activate a single light source when all other light sources are deactivated; determine the function of the display surface displaying an image relative to the first light source by activating the first light source when the second and third light sources are deactivated, measuring an image received by the first photodetector; determine the function of the display surface displaying an image relative to the second light source by activating the second light source when the first and third light sources are deactivated, measuring an image received by the second photodetector; and determine the function of the display surface displaying an image relative to the third light source by activating the third light source when the first and second light sources are deactivated, measuring an image received by the third photodetector.

[0023] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein.It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a vehicle having a display and test system according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a display and testing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a display and testing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a display and testing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a display and testing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a display and testing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a method for determining the functionality of a display surface displaying a projected image using the display and test system described in the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 8 A method of using the display and test system described in this disclosure to determine the functionality of a piezoelectric actuator that causes the ends of two fiber optic cables to vibrate together when an image is projected from one of the fiber optic cables. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

[0034] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 1 An exemplary vehicle 10 including a display and test system 12 according to the present disclosure is shown. Although the vehicle 10 is shown as a sedan, it is contemplated that the vehicle 10 may be any other type of vehicle, such as a pickup truck, a sports car, a sport utility vehicle (SUV). The vehicle 10 includes a body 14, a windshield 16, one or more A-pillars 18, a roof 20, and an instrument panel 22. The body 14 and the A-pillars 18 support the windshield 16. The windshield 16 serves as a display surface of the vehicle and includes particles or films that emit fluorescence under specific light excitation to produce an image on the windshield 16. However, it should be appreciated that other surfaces in the vehicle 10 may also serve as display surfaces 23, such as the A-pillars 18, the roof 20, the instrument panel 22, etc. Where the display surface 23 is the windshield 16, a transparent phosphor may be included in the windshield 16, the transparent phosphor being a luminescent particle that emits fluorescence in response to being excited by ultraviolet light, and may produce an image on the windshield 16 that can be seen by an occupant of the vehicle 10. The transparent phosphor may include various colors, such as red, green, and blue, to allow for full color images. Other luminescent particles or films that fluoresce in response to other light sources may also be included in the windshield 16 .

[0035] As described below, the display and test system 12 is configured to project light onto the display surface 23 and generate an image on the display surface 23 on the windshield 16. The display and test system 12 can test the function of the display surface 23 displaying the image as well as the function of other components of the display and test system 12.

[0036] refer to Figure 2 , shows a display and test system 12 according to an exemplary embodiment for displaying an image 24 on a display surface 23 on a windshield 16 and testing the functionality of the display surface 23 displaying the image 24. The display and test system 12 includes a light source 26, a dichroic mirror 28, a fiber optic cable 30, a piezoelectric actuator 32, a bandpass filter 34, a photodetector 36, and a controller 38.

[0037] The dichroic mirror 28 is adjacent to the light source 26, and the light source 26, when activated, emits light 39 toward the dichroic mirror 28. The light 39 emitted by the light source 26 is based on the performance of the light source 26 and may be different between different light sources 26. As non-limiting examples, the light source 26 may be configured to emit green light, red light, blue light, or other wavelengths of light, or may be configured to be capable of emitting different wavelengths of light, such that it may emit light of a first wavelength or emit light of a second wavelength that is different from the first wavelength.

[0038] Dichroic mirror 28 is a component that can operate to transmit light having wavelengths within a configured transmission band and reflect light of all other wavelengths. Dichroic mirror 28 is located to receive light 39 from light source 26 and is oriented to direct light 39 to fiber optic cable 30 by reflection.

[0039] The fiber optic cable is configured to transmit or carry light. The fiber optic cable 30 can be flexible and long enough to package and place the components of the display and test system 12 in a small manner at various locations on the vehicle 10. As a non-limiting example, the length of the fiber optic cable 30 can be between ten and twenty feet. The fiber optic cable 30 includes a first fiber end 40 and a second fiber end 42 opposite the first fiber end 40. The first fiber end 40 receives light 39 from the dichroic mirror 28 and transmits the light 39 to the second fiber end 42. The second fiber end 42 emits the light 39 to the display surface 23 on the windshield 16.

[0040] The piezoelectric actuator 32 is a device that converts an electrical signal into a precisely controlled physical displacement signal. The piezoelectric actuator 32 is coupled to the fiber optic cable 30 at a location adjacent to the second fiber end 42. The piezoelectric actuator 32 is controlled using an algorithm to create / project the desired image, and when actuated, the second fiber end 42 is vibrated to project the image 24 onto the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 so that the occupants of the vehicle 10 can see the image 24. As a non-limiting example, the image 24 contains details about the operation or condition of the vehicle 10.

[0041] During testing of the display surface 23, the second fiber end 42 receives light 44 from the windshield 16. The light 44 includes the ambient illumination that passes through the windshield 16, and when the light source 26 is activated and the image 24 is projected on the display surface 23, the light 44 will also include an image reflected from the display surface 23 on the windshield 16. The fiber optic cable 30 transmits the light 44 from the second fiber end 42 to the first fiber end 40. The first fiber end 40 transmits the light 44 to the dichroic mirror 28, and the dichroic mirror 28 allows the light 44 to pass to the bandpass filter 34.

[0042] The bandpass filter 34 may be a fixed filter or an adjustable filter to filter the light 44 so that the desired filtered light 46 passes through the bandpass filter 34. The filtered light 46 may also be referred to as a filtered image based on the light 44, which contains an image and is filtered. For example, the desired filtered light 46 may match the wavelength of the light 39 emitted by the light source 26 or the expected wavelength of the image reflected from the display surface 23 on the windshield 16, and the filtered light 46 is included in the light 44 when the display surface 23 of the windshield 16 is operating normally. The bandpass filter 34, if adjustable, may be controllable so that different desired filtered lights 46 can pass through, and as a non-limiting example, the filtered light 46 may be allowed to be the same as the light 44 so as to avoid filtering the light 44 when necessary. As a non-limiting example, the bandpass filter 34 is absorptive and absorbs unwanted light. The bandpass filter 34 may include a multi-layer dielectric coating applied to a substrate. In addition, the bandpass filter 34 may include spectral and absorptive filters produced by a combination of lamination, glue layers, and thin film coatings. The bandpass filter 34 directs the filtered light 46 to the photodetector 36 .

[0043] The photodetector 36 is a device having one or more sensors that are operable to convert the energy of photons of received light into electrical signals. The electrical signals may be further processed or stored. The photodetector 36, in conjunction with the controller 38 as desired, is operable to measure the received light and determine characteristics of the received light, such as intensity, power, intensity distribution, wavefront shape, energy, and wavelength.

[0044] The controller 38 is connected to the light source 26, the piezoelectric actuator 32, the bandpass filter 34, and the photodetector 36. The controller 38 controls the operation of the display and test system 12 for displaying the image 24 on the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 and testing the functionality of the display surface 23 displaying the image 24. The controller 38 is operable to activate and deactivate the light source 26, actuate the piezoelectric actuator 32 to project the image 24, control the bandpass filter 34 (if adjustable) to obtain the desired filtered light 46, and measure the light received by the photodetector 36.

[0045] The controller 38 includes at least one processor 48 and a non-transitory computer readable storage device or medium 50. The sensing device processor 48 can be a custom or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an auxiliary processor of several processors associated with the sensing device controller 40, a semiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chipset), a macroprocessor, a combination thereof, or generally a device for executing instructions. The computer readable storage device or medium 50 can include volatile and non-volatile storage devices such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and keep alive memory (KAM). KAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that can be used to store various operating variables when the processor 48 is turned off. The computer readable storage device or medium 50 can be implemented using multiple storage devices, such as PROM (programmable read-only memory), EPROM (electrical PROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable PROM), flash memory, or other electrical, magnetic, optical or combination storage devices capable of storing data, some of which represent data that can be used by the vehicle controller to control various systems of the vehicle 10. The controller 38 may also be comprised of multiple controllers in electrical communication with each other. The controller 38 may be interconnected with additional systems and / or controllers of the vehicle 10 , thereby allowing the controller 38 to access data of the vehicle 10 .

[0046] Next reference Figure 3 , Figure 3 A display and test system 51 according to another exemplary embodiment is shown, which is used to display an image 24 on a display surface 23 on a windshield 16 and to test the function of the display surface 23 displaying the image 24. The display and test system 51 is similar to Figure 1 The display and test system 12 shown. Figure 2 Like components are denoted by like reference numerals. Display and test system 51 includes light source 26 , fiber combiner / splitter 52 , multiple fiber optic cables, piezoelectric actuator 32 , bandpass filter 34 , photodetector 36 , and controller 38 .

[0047] The optical fiber combiner / splitter 52 is a device that combines a plurality of optical fiber cables with unidirectional (providing or receiving) light transmission with an optical fiber cable with bidirectional light transmission that receives and provides light. The optical fiber combiner / splitter 52 has an input port that can be connected to an optical fiber cable to receive input light from the optical fiber cable connected to the input port. The optical fiber combiner / splitter 52 has a bidirectional port connected to an optical fiber cable, which transmits light emitted from the optical fiber cable connected to the input port to the optical fiber cable connected to the bidirectional port, and receives return light emitted from the optical fiber cable connected to the bidirectional port. The optical fiber combiner / splitter 52 has an output port connected to an optical fiber cable, and sends the received return light to the optical fiber cable connected to the output port.

[0048] The light source 26, when activated, emits light 39 through the first fiber optic cable 53 to the fiber optic combiner / splitter 52. The fiber optic combiner / splitter 52 directs the light 39 to the first fiber end 40 of the second fiber optic cable 55, the second fiber optic cable 55 transmits the light 39 to the second fiber optic end 42, and the second fiber optic end 42 emits the light 39 to the display surface 23. The windshield 16, the piezoelectric actuator 32 is coupled to the second fiber optic cable 55 at a position adjacent to the second fiber optic end 42. The piezoelectric actuator 32, when actuated, vibrates the second fiber optic end 42 to project the image 24 on the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 so that the occupants of the vehicle 10 can see the image 24. The second fiber optic end 42 receives the light 44 from the windshield 16. The light 44 includes the ambient illumination passing through the windshield 16, and when the light source 26 is activated and the image 24 is projected on the display surface 23, the light 44 will also include the image reflected from the display surface 23 onto the windshield 16. A second fiber optic cable 55 transmits light 44 from the second fiber end 42 to the fiber optic combiner / splitter 52. The fiber optic combiner / splitter 52 directs the light 44 to the bandpass filter 34 via a third fiber optic cable 57. The bandpass filter 34, if adjustable, may be controllable so that different desired filtered light 46 may pass through and may allow the filtered light 46 to be the same as the light 44. The bandpass filter 34 directs the filtered light 46 to the photodetector 36 via a fourth fiber optic cable 59. The photodetector 36 may be operable to measure the received light and determine characteristics of the received light. The controller 38 is connected to the light source 26, the piezoelectric actuator 32, the bandpass filter 34, and the photodetector 36. The controller 38 controls the operation of the display and test system 51 for displaying the image 24 on the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 and testing the functionality of the display surface 23 displaying the image 24. The controller 38 may be operable to activate and deactivate the light source 26 , actuate the piezoelectric actuator 32 to project the image 24 , control the bandpass filter 34 (if adjustable) to obtain the desired filtered light 46 , and measure the light received by the photodetector 36 .

[0049] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 4 A display and test system 61 according to another exemplary embodiment is shown for displaying an image 24 on a display surface 23 on a windshield 16 and testing the function of the display surface 23 displaying the image 24 and the function of the piezoelectric actuator 32 configured to vibrate the first fiber optic cable 63 and the second fiber optic cable 65 simultaneously. The display and test system 61 and Figure 2 The display shown is similar to the test system 12, and the display and test system 61 are similar to Figure 3 The display and test system 61 is shown to be similar, and similar components are indicated by similar reference numerals. The display and test system 61 includes a light source 26, a piezoelectric actuator 32, a bandpass filter 34, a photodetector 36, and a controller 38. When activated, the light source 26 emits light 39 to a first fiber optic end 40 of a first fiber optic cable 63, which transmits the light 39 to a second fiber optic end 42, which transmits the light 39 to a display surface 23 on the windshield 16. A second fiber optic end 42 of a second fiber optic cable 65 receives light 44 from the windshield 16 and transmits the light to the bandpass filter 34. The piezoelectric actuator 32 is coupled to the first fiber optic cable 63 at a location adjacent to the second fiber optic end 42, and is coupled to the second fiber optic cable 65 at a location adjacent to the second fiber optic end 42. When actuated, the piezoelectric actuator 32 vibrates the second fiber end 42 of the first fiber optic cable 63 to project the image 24 onto the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 when the light source 26 is activated, and vibrates the second fiber end 42 of the second fiber optic cable 65 with the second fiber end 42 of the first fiber optic cable 63. The bandpass filter 34, if adjustable, can be controllable so that different desired filtered light 46 can pass through, and can allow the filtered light 46 to be the same as the light 44. The bandpass filter 34 directs the filtered light 46 to the photodetector 36 through the third fiber optic cable 66. The photodetector 36 can be operated to measure the received light and determine the characteristics of the received light. The controller 38 connects the light source 26, the piezoelectric actuator 32, the bandpass filter 34 and the photodetector 36. The controller 38 controls the operation of the display and test system 61 for displaying the image 24 on the display surface 23 of the windshield 16, testing the function of the display surface 23 to display the image 24, and the function of the piezoelectric actuator 32 to simultaneously vibrate the first and second fiber optic cables 63 and 65. The controller 38 is operable to activate and deactivate the light source 26, actuate the piezoelectric actuator 32 to project the image 24 and simultaneously vibrate the first and second fiber optic cables 63 and 65, control the bandpass filter 34 (if adjustable) to obtain the desired filtered light 46, and measure the light received by the photodetector 36.

[0050] Reference Figure 5 , Figure 5 A display and test system 79 according to another exemplary embodiment is shown for displaying an image 24 on a display surface 23 on a windshield 16 and testing the function of the display surface 23 to display the image 24. The display and test system 79 is similar to Figure 2 The display and test system 12 shown, Figure 3 The display and test system 51 shown, Figure 4 Display and test system 61 is shown, and like components are indicated by like reference numerals. Display and test system 79 includes a plurality of light sources, a fiber optic combiner / splitter 70, a plurality of fiber optic cables, a piezoelectric actuator 32, a photodetector 36, and a controller 38.

[0051] The fiber optic combiner / splitter 70 is a device that combines multiple fiber optic cables with unidirectional (providing or receiving) light transmission with a single fiber optic cable with bidirectional light transmission that receives and provides light. The fiber optic combiner / splitter 70 has three input ports, each of which can be connected to a fiber optic cable to receive multiple beams of input light from multiple fiber optic cables connected to multiple input ports, and combine the multiple beams of input light received through the multiple input ports into a beam of combined light. The fiber optic combiner / splitter 70 has a bidirectional port connected to an optical fiber and transmits the combined light to the optical fiber connected to the bidirectional port, and receives return light from the optical fiber connected to the bidirectional port. The fiber optic combiner / splitter 70 has an output port connected to an optical fiber, and sends the received return light to the optical fiber cable connected to the output port.

[0052] The light sources include: a first light source 67, which when activated emits a first light 71 into a first fiber optic cable 72 connected to the fiber optic combiner / splitter 70; a second light source 68, which when activated emits a second light 73 into a second fiber optic cable 74 connected to the fiber optic combiner / splitter 70; and a third light source 69, which when activated emits a third light 75 into a third fiber optic cable 76 connected to the fiber optic combiner / splitter 70. The second light 73 may be different from the first light 71, and the third light 75 may be different from the first light 71 and the second light 73. As a non-limiting example, the first light 71 may be red light, the second light 73 may be green light, and the third light 75 may be blue light. The first, second, and third fiber optic cables 72, 74, 75 guide the first, second, and third lights 71, 73, and 75 to the fiber optic combiner / splitter 70. The fiber optic combiner / splitter 70 combines the first, second, and third lights 71, 73, and 75 into a combined light 77, and directs the combined light 77 to the first fiber end 40 of the fourth fiber optic cable 78, which transmits the combined light 77 to the second fiber end 42, which emits the combined light 77 to the display surface 23 on the windshield 16. The piezoelectric actuator 32 is coupled to the fourth fiber optic cable 78 at a position adjacent to the second fiber end 42. When the piezoelectric actuator 32 is actuated, the piezoelectric actuator 32 vibrates the second fiber end 42 to project the image 24 onto the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 so that the occupants of the vehicle 10 can see the image 24. The second fiber end 42 receives the light 44 from the windshield 16. The light 44 includes the ambient illumination through the windshield 16, and when one or more of the first, second, and third light sources 67, 68, and 69 are activated and the image 24 is projected onto the display surface 23, the light 44 will also include the image reflected from the display surface 23 on the windshield 16. The fourth fiber optic cable 78 transmits the light 44 from the second fiber end 42 to the fiber optic combiner / splitter 70. The fiber optic combiner / splitter 70 directs the light 44 to the photodetector 36 through the fifth fiber optic cable 80. The photodetector 36 can be used to measure the received light 44 and determine the properties of the received light 44. The photodetector 36 can be operated to determine the properties of the received light 44 regardless of which or how many of the first, second, and third light sources 67, 68, and 69 are activated, or can be limited to determining the properties of the received light 44 based only on the specific one of the first, second, and third light sources 67, 68, and 69 being activated. The controller 38 is connected to the first light source 67, the second light source 68, the third light source 69, the piezoelectric actuator 32 and the photodetector 36. The controller 38 controls the operation of the display and test system 79 for displaying the image 24 on the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 and testing the function of the display surface 23 to display the image 24.The controller 38 may be operable to individually activate and deactivate the first, second, and third light sources 67 , 68 , and 69 , actuate the piezoelectric actuator 32 to project the image 24 , and measure the light 44 received by the photodetector 36 .

[0053] Reference Figure 6 , Figure 6 A display and test system 82 according to another exemplary embodiment is shown for displaying an image 24 on a display surface 23 on a windshield 16 and testing the function of the display surface 23 displaying the image 24 and the function of the piezoelectric actuator 32, the piezoelectric actuator 32 being configured to vibrate the fourth fiber optic cable 84 and the fifth fiber optic cable 86 simultaneously. The display and test system 82 is similar to Figure 2 The display and test system 12 shown, Figure 3 The display and test system 51 shown, Figure 4 The display and test system 61 shown, Figure 5 The display and test system 79 is shown, and like components are indicated by like reference numerals. The display and test system 12 includes a first light source 67, a second light source 68, a third light source 69, a plurality of fiber optic cables, a fiber optic combiner 56, a piezoelectric actuator 32, a fiber optic filter / splitter 58, a plurality of photodetectors, and a controller 38.

[0054] The fiber combiner 56 is a device that combines a plurality of fiber optic cables that have unidirectional light transmission and each provide light with a single fiber optic cable that has unidirectional light transmission and receives light. The fiber optic combiner 56 has three input ports, each of which can be connected to a fiber optic cable to receive multiple beams of input light from the multiple fiber optic cables connected to the multiple input ports, and combines the multiple beams of input light received through the multiple input ports into a beam of combined light. The fiber optic combiner 56 has an output port connected to an optical fiber, and transmits the combined light to the optical fiber connected to the output port.

[0055] The optical fiber filter / splitter 58 is a device that combines a single optical fiber cable that has unidirectional light transmission and provides light with a plurality of optical fiber cables that have unidirectional light transmission and receive light. The optical fiber filter / splitter 58 has an input port that can be connected to an optical fiber cable to receive a beam of input light from the optical fiber cable connected to the input port, and filters the received input light and separates it into three different beams of filtered light. The optical fiber filter / splitter 58 has three output ports, each of which can be connected to an optical fiber cable, and each transmits one of the filtered lights to the optical fiber cables respectively connected to the output ports, so that each optical fiber cable connected to the output port receives a different filtered light.

[0056] The activated first light source 67 emits the first light 71 into the first fiber optic cable 88 connected to the fiber optic combiner 56, the activated second light source 68 emits the second light 73 into the second fiber optic cable 90 connected to the fiber optic combiner 56, and the activated third light source 69 emits the third light 75 into the third fiber optic cable 92 connected to the fiber optic combiner 56. The second light 73 may be different from the first light 71, and the third light 75 may be different from the first light 71 and the second light 73. As a non-limiting example, the first light 71 may be red light, the second light 73 may be green light, and the third light 75 may be blue light. The first, second, and third fiber optic cables 88, 90, and 92 guide the first, second, and third lights 71, 73, and 75 to the fiber optic combiner 56. The fiber combiner 56 combines the first, second, and third lights 71, 73, 75 into a combined light 94, and transmits the combined light 94 to the first fiber end 40 of the fourth fiber optic cable 84, and the fourth fiber optic cable 84 transmits the combined light 94 to the second fiber end 42, and the second fiber end 42 emits the combined light 94 to the display surface 23 on the windshield 16. The second fiber end 42 of the fifth fiber optic cable 86 receives the light 44 from the windshield 16 and transmits the light to the fiber optic filter / splitter 58. The piezoelectric actuator 32 is coupled to the fourth fiber optic cable 84 at a position adjacent to the second fiber end 42, and is coupled to the fifth fiber optic cable 86 at a position adjacent to the second fiber end 42. When actuated, the piezoelectric actuator 32 vibrates the second fiber optic end 42 of the fourth fiber optic cable 84 to project the image 24 onto the display surface 23 on the windshield 16, while activating one or more of the first, second and third light sources 67, 68 and 69, and vibrates the second fiber optic end 42 of the fifth fiber optic cable 86 with the second fiber optic end 42 of the fourth fiber optic cable 84.

[0057] The fiber optic filter / splitter 58 can be operated to filter and separate the light 44 into a first filtered light 60, a second filtered light 62, and a third filtered light 64. The first filtered light 60 is transmitted to the first photodetector 95 via the sixth fiber optic cable 96. The second filtered light 62 is transmitted to the second photodetector 97 via the seventh fiber optic cable 98. The third filtered light 64 is transmitted to the third photodetector 99 via the eighth fiber optic cable 91. The filtered light sent to the photodetector can be based on the ability of the photodetector to measure the received light and determine the characteristics of the received light, so that the function of the display surface 23 to display an image based on the light provided by the activated light source can be determined. As a non-limiting example, the fiber optic filter / splitter 58 can be configured to process the light 44 and: provide a first filtered light 60 to the first photodetector 95 through a sixth fiber optic cable 96, the first filtered light 60 being related to the first light 71 provided by the first light source 67 and matching the ability of the first photodetector 95 to measure and determine the characteristics of the first filtered light 60; provide a second filtered light 62 to the second photodetector 97 through a seventh fiber optic cable 98, the second filtered light 62 being related to the second light 73 provided by the second light source 68 and matching the ability of the second photodetector 97 to measure and determine the characteristics of the second filtered light 62; provide a third filtered light 64 to the third photodetector 99 through an eighth fiber optic cable 91, the third filtered light 64 being related to the third light 75 provided by the third light source 69 and matching the ability of the third photodetector 99 to measure and determine the characteristics of the third filtered light 64.

[0058] The controller 38 controls the operation of the display and test system 82 for displaying the image 24 on the display surface 23 on the windshield 16, testing the function of the display surface 23 to display the image 24, and the function of the piezoelectric actuator 32 to simultaneously vibrate the fourth and fifth fiber optic cables 84 and 86. The controller 38 can be operated to activate and deactivate the first, second and third light sources 67, 68 and 69, actuate the piezoelectric actuator 32 to project the image 24 and simultaneously vibrate the fourth and fifth fiber optic cables 84 and 86, and measure the light received by the first, second and third photodetectors 95, 97 and 99.

[0059] Reference Figure 7 , Figure 7A display test method 100 is shown for determining the functionality of a display surface 23 using display and test systems 12, 51, 61, 79, and 82 according to the principles of the present disclosure. The display test method 100 begins at step S102, where for display and test systems 12, 51, and 61, the controller 38 activates the light source 26 to emit light 39 and direct the light 39 to the associated first fiber optic cables 30, 55, and 63, which direct the light 39 to the second fiber optic end 42, which emits the light 39 onto the display surface 23, and for display and test systems 79 and 82, the controller 38 activates at least one of the first, second, and third light sources 67, 68, and 69 to generate light 77 and 94, which are directed to the associated fourth fiber optic cables 78 and 84, which direct the light 77 and 94 to the second fiber optic end 42, which emits the light 39 onto the display surface 23. In the display and test systems 79 and 82, the controller 38 can activate multiple light sources 67, 68, and 69, each of which generates light 71, 73, and 75 with different properties. As a non-limiting example, the first, second, and third light sources 67, 68, and 69 that generate red light, blue light, and green light can be collectively or individually activated by the controller 38 to determine the function of the display surface 23 capable of displaying the projected image 24 generated by the red light, blue light, and green light. Then, the display test method 100 continues to step 104.

[0060] In step 104, the controller 38 projects the image 24 onto the display surface 23 of the windshield 16 via the piezoelectric actuator 32, which uses an algorithm to vibrate the second ends 42 of the fiber optic cables that emit light to the display surface 23 to create / project the desired image. For the display and test systems 12, 51, and 79, the controller 38 activates the piezoelectric actuator 32 to vibrate the second fiber ends 42 of the fiber optic cable 30, the second fiber optic cable 55, and the fourth fiber optic cable 78. For the display and test system 61, the controller 38 activates the piezoelectric actuator 32 to vibrate the second fiber ends 42 of the first and second fiber optic cables 63 and 65 together. For the display and test system 82, the controller 38 activates the piezoelectric actuator 32 to vibrate the second fiber ends 42 of the fourth and fifth fiber optic cables 84 and 86 together. The display test method 100 then continues to step 106.

[0061] In step 106, light 44 reflected from display surface 23 enters second fiber end 42 of fiber optic cable vibrated by piezoelectric actuator 32 and is directed to a photodetector which measures the received light and determines characteristics of the received light. For display and test systems 12, 51, 61, and 79, light 44 is received by second fiber ends 42 of associated fiber optic cable 30, second fiber optic cable 55, second fiber optic cable 65, and fourth fiber optic cable 78 and directed to photodetector 36 and filtered by bandpass filter 34 in display and test systems 12, 51, and 61 before being received by photodetector 36. The photodetector measures the received light and determines characteristics of the received light. For the display and test system 82, the light 44 received by the second optical fiber end 42 of the fifth optical fiber cable 86 is directed to the optical fiber filter / splitter 58, which filters and separates the light 44 into first, second and third filtered lights 60, 62 and 64, and the first, second and third filtered lights 60, 62 and 64 are transmitted to the first, second and third photodetectors 95, 97 and 99, which measure the received light and determine the characteristics of the received light.

[0062] The characteristics of the received light may be compared to the desired characteristics of the received light to determine the functionality of the display surface 23 to display the projected image 24. Optionally, the light 44 may be filtered so that the light 44 contains certain characteristics based on the ability of the receiving photodetector to measure the received light and determine the characteristics of the received light, so that the functionality of the display surface 23 to display an image may be determined based on the characteristics of the light provided by the activated light sources. As a non-limiting example, in the display and test system 82, multiple light sources 67, 68, and 69 emitting different lights 71, 73, and 75 may be activated as much as possible, and multiple photodetectors 95, 97, and 99 may be used to determine the functionality of the display surface 23 to display an image based on the various lights provided by the various activated light sources, and may allow for the determination of the inability or ability of the display surface 23 to display an image based on specific properties of the light, such as its color.

[0063] The light 44 may include ambient illumination through the windshield 16. Optionally, the ambient illumination may be determined and removed from the determination of the functionality of the display surface 23 to display the image 24. The current ambient illumination may be determined by the photodetectors by turning off all light sources and measuring the light received by the photodetectors. The light sources to be evaluated may then be activated and the associated photodetectors may measure the received light and subtract or remove the determined current ambient illumination to determine the characteristics of the light received based on the activated light sources and determine the functionality of the display surface 23 to display the image 24 based on the activated light sources.

[0064] Reference Figure 8 , a test method 200 is shown for determining the functionality of a piezoelectric actuator 32 using display and test systems 61 and 82, the piezoelectric actuator 32 being coupled to two fiber optic cables at locations adjacent to second fiber optic ends 42 and intended to simultaneously vibrate the second fiber optic ends 42 of the two fiber optic cables together when an image 24 is projected from one of the fiber optic cables in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The test method 200 begins at step 202, wherein the controller 38 in the display and test system 61 activates the light source 26 to emit light 39 to the first fiber optic cable 63 coupled to the piezoelectric actuator 32 together with the second fiber optic cable 65, and activates at least one of the light sources 67, 69, and 69 in the display and test system 82 to emit at least one of the first, second, and third lights 71, 73, 75, which pass through the fiber combiner 56 and are directed to the fourth fiber optic cable 84, which is coupled to the piezoelectric actuator 32 together with the fifth fiber optic cable 86. The test method 200 then continues to step 204.

[0065] In step 204, the controller 38 activates the piezoelectric actuator 32 and causes the image 24 to be projected onto the display surface 23 of the windshield 16 by activating the piezoelectric actuator 32, which uses an algorithm to vibrate the second end 42 of the fiber optic cable, which emits light to the display surface 23 to create / project the desired image. In the display and test system 61, when the first fiber optic cable 63 projects the image 24 onto the display surface 23, the activated piezoelectric actuator 32 causes the second fiber ends 42 of the first fiber optic cable and the second fiber optic cable 63 and 65 to vibrate together, and the second fiber ends 42 of the first and second fiber optic cables 63 and 65 should vibrate together; in the display and test system 82, when the fourth fiber optic cable projects the image onto the display surface 23, the activated piezoelectric actuator 32 causes the second fiber ends 42 of the fourth and fifth fiber optic cables to vibrate simultaneously, and the second fiber ends 42 of the fourth and fifth fiber optic cables should vibrate together. The test method 200 then continues to step 206.

[0066] In step 206, light 44 from windshield 16 is received by vibrating second fiber end 42 of second fiber optic cable 65 in display and test system 61 and by vibrating second fiber end 42 of fifth fiber optic cable 86 in display and test system 82. In display and test system 61, second fiber optic cable 65 directs received light 44 to photodetector 36 through bandpass filter 34. In display and test system 82, fifth fiber optic cable 86 directs received light 44 to first, second and third photodetectors 95, 97 and 99 through fiber optic filter / splitter 58. Photodetectors 36, 95, 97 and 99 measure received light 44 and determine whether light 44 includes any portion of image 24 projected by light emitting first and fourth fiber optic cables 63 and 84 that are vibrating simultaneously. Optionally, light 44 may be filtered by bandpass filter 34 in display and test system 61 to facilitate photodetector 36 to determine that filtered light 46 includes any portion 24 of the projected image, and light 44 may be filtered by filtering fiber filter / splitter 58 in display and test system 82 to facilitate first, second and third photodetectors 95, 97, 99 to determine that first, second and third filtered light 60, 62 and 64 include any portion of the projected image. The inclusion of a portion of projected image 24 in light 44 indicates that piezoelectric actuator 32 is coupled to and vibrates second fiber ends 42 of first and second fiber optic cables 63 and 65 in display and test system 61, and indicates that piezoelectric actuator 32 is coupled to and vibrates second fiber ends 42 of both fourth and fifth fiber optic cables 84 and 86 in display and test system 82. It is determined that the piezoelectric actuator 32 is coupled to the second optical fiber end 42 of the first and second optical fiber cables 63 and 65 and causes it to vibrate, indicating that the piezoelectric actuator 32 functions in the display and test system 61, and functions in both the fourth and fifth optical fiber cables 84 and 86, indicating that the piezoelectric actuator 32 functions in the display and test system 82.

[0067] The display and test systems 12, 51, 61, 79 and 82 according to the present disclosure have many advantages. At least one of the light sources 26 can be configured as a light emitting diode (LED) array to maximize the life of the light source 26. Due to the length of the fiber optic cable 30 (e.g., between 10 and 20 feet), the light source 26, the photodetector 36, the bandpass filter 34, the fiber combiner / splitter 52 and 70, the fiber combiner 56 and the fiber filter / splitter 58 can be away from the display surface 23 of the windshield 16 to optimize the automotive packaging. The display and test systems 12, 51, 61, 79 and 82 do not require the projection system 16 to be mounted directly in front of the windshield, and the components and possibly the entire projector portion of the display and test systems 12, 51, 61, 79 and 82 can be installed under the seat, under the dashboard 22, the A-pillar 18, above the ceiling, or any hidden space. The display and test systems 12, 51, 61, 79 and 82 can eliminate the requirement to occupy the interior space 10 of the vehicle. As a non-limiting example, the fiber optic cable 30 may be between 10 and 20 feet long. The display and test systems 12 , 51 , 61 , 79 , and 82 may eliminate the requirement to occupy the interior space 10 of the vehicle.

[0068] Although exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms included in the claims. The words used in the specification are descriptive rather than restrictive, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. As before, the features of the various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the currently disclosed system and method that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. Although various embodiments can be described as providing advantages or preferences over other embodiments or prior art embodiments relative to one or more desired features, a person of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve the desired overall system properties, depending on the specific application and implementation. These properties may include, but are not limited to, cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, applicability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. Therefore, embodiments described as less ideal than other embodiments or prior art implementations relative to one or more features are not outside the scope of the present disclosure and may be ideal for specific applications.

[0069] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples, and other embodiments may take various and optional forms. These numbers are not necessarily to scale; certain features may be exaggerated or minimized in order to show the details of a particular component. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as restrictive, but only as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to use the currently disclosed systems and methods in various ways. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the various features shown and described in any one of the reference figures may be combined with the features shown in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly shown or described. The feature combinations shown provide representative embodiments of typical applications. However, for specific applications or implementations, various combinations and modifications of features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be expected.

[0070] This description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in various forms. Therefore, although the disclosure includes specific examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited, as other modifications will become apparent upon studying the drawings, the specification, and the following claims.

Claims

1. A display and test system for a vehicle having a display surface, the display and test system comprising: a light source configured to emit light when activated; a fiber optic cable having a first fiber optic end and a second fiber optic end opposite the first fiber optic end, the first fiber optic end receiving the light from the light source and directing the light from the light source to the second fiber optic end, the second fiber optic end emitting the light toward the display surface; a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the fiber optic cable adjacent the second fiber end, wherein when the light source is activated, the piezoelectric actuator is actuated to vibrate the second fiber end to project an image onto the display surface; as well as A photodetector configured to detect light, wherein the second fiber end receives an image reflected from the display surface and directs the image to the first fiber end, the first fiber end emits the image and directs the image to the photodetector, and when the light source is activated, the photodetector detects a function of the display surface based on the image.

2. The display and test system of claim 1, further comprising a dichroic mirror adjacent to the first optical fiber end, wherein: The light source emits the light to the dichroic mirror, the dichroic mirror guides the light emitted by the light source to the first optical fiber end, and the dichroic mirror allows the image emitted from the first optical fiber end to pass through the dichroic mirror to reach the photodetector.

3. The display and test system according to claim 2 further includes a bandpass filter arranged between the dichroic mirror and the photodetector, wherein the bandpass filter receives the image from the dichroic mirror, filters the image, and directs the filtered image to the photodetector.

4. The display and test system of claim 1, further comprising a fiber combiner / splitter coupled to the first fiber end, the light source, and the photodetector, wherein: The fiber combiner / splitter directs the light from the light source to the first fiber end and directs the image emitted from the first fiber end to the photodetector.

5. The display and test system according to claim 4, further comprising a bandpass filter disposed between the photodetector and the fiber combiner / splitter, wherein: A bandpass filter receives the image from the fiber combiner / splitter, filters the image, and directs the filtered image to the photodetector.

6. The display and test system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller in electrical communication with the light source and the photodetector, the controller comprising a processor and a memory, the memory comprising instructions such that the processor is programmed to: activating and deactivating the light source; determining the ambient illumination of the display surface by turning off the light source and measuring the light received by the photodetector; and The functionality of the display surface displaying the image is determined by activating the light source, measuring the image received by the photodetector and subtracting the ambient illumination, thereby determining the image based solely on the light source and determining the functionality of the display surface displaying the image.

7. A display and test system for a vehicle having a display surface, the display and test system comprising: a light source configured to emit light when activated; a first fiber optic cable and a second fiber optic cable, each having a first fiber end and a second fiber end opposite the first fiber end, the first fiber end of the first fiber optic cable receiving the light from the light source and directing the light from the light source to the second fiber end of the first fiber optic cable, and the second fiber end of the first fiber optic cable emitting the light to the display surface; a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the first fiber optic cable adjacent to the second fiber optic end of the first fiber optic cable and coupled to the second fiber optic cable adjacent to the second fiber optic end of the second fiber optic cable, wherein when the light source is activated, the piezoelectric actuator is actuated to vibrate the second fiber optic end of the first fiber optic cable to project an image on the display surface and to vibrate the second fiber optic end of the second fiber optic cable with the second fiber optic end of the first fiber optic cable; and a photodetector configured to detect light, wherein the second fiber end of the second fiber optic cable receives the image reflected from the display surface and directs the image to the first fiber end of the second fiber optic cable, and the first fiber end of the second fiber optic cable transmits the image and directs the image to the photodetector, wherein the photodetector detects a function of the display surface based on the image when the light source is activated.

8. The display and test system of claim 7, further comprising a controller in electrical communication with the light source, the photodetector, and the piezoelectric actuator, the controller comprising a processor and a memory, the memory comprising instructions such that the processor is programmed to: activating and deactivating the light source; activating the piezoelectric actuator to vibrate the second optical fiber end of the first optical fiber cable to project the image onto the display surface when the light source is activated; as well as The functionality of the piezoelectric actuator vibrating the first and second fiber optic cables is determined by determining that the photodetector receives the image from the display surface when the light source is activated and vibration of the piezoelectric actuator is activated.

9. The display and test system of claim 7, further comprising a bandpass filter disposed between the first optical fiber end of the second optical fiber cable and the photodetector, wherein: The bandpass filter receives the image from the first optical fiber end of the second optical fiber cable, filters the image, and directs the filtered image to the photodetector.

10. The display and test system of claim 7, further comprising a controller in electrical communication with the light source and the photodetector, the controller comprising a processor and a memory, the memory comprising instructions such that the processor is programmed to: activating and deactivating the light source; determining the ambient illumination of the display surface by turning off the light source and measuring the light received by the photodetector; and The function of the display surface displaying the image is determined by activating the light source, measuring the image received by the photodetector and subtracting the ambient illumination, thereby determining the function of the display surface displaying the image based solely on the light source and determining the image.

Images