Display and testing system for a vehicle with one display area

Abstract

Display and test system (12) for a vehicle (10) with a display surface (23), comprising: a light source (26) configured to emit light when activated; a fiber optic cable (30) with a first fiber end (40) and a second fiber end (42) opposite the first fiber end (40), wherein the first fiber end (40) receives the light (39) from the light source (26) and transmits the light (39) from the light source (26) to the second fiber end (42), and the second fiber end (42) emits the light to the display surface (23); a piezoelectric actuator (32) coupled to the fiber optic cable (30) adjacent to the second fiber end (42), wherein the piezoelectric actuator (32) is actuated to vibrate the second fiber end (42) to project an image (24) onto the display surface (23). project while the light source (26) is activated;and a photodetector (36) configured to detect light, wherein the second fiber end (42) receives the image (24) reflected from the display surface (23) and directs the image (24) to the first fiber end (40), the first fiber end (40) emits the image (24) and directs it to the photodetector (36), and the photodetector (36) detects a functionality of the display surface (23) based on the image (24) while the light source (26) is activated.

Description

IntroductionThe present disclosure relates to a display and inspection system for a vehicle having a display surface.For general background information, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,204 A in advance at this point.Some vehicles have a display to present information to the vehicle occupant. The inspection of the display is performed with a dedicated camera having a digital light processor. However, the use of a dedicated camera requires a certain camera position in the vehicle interior with respect to the display position. This, in turn, may restrict the position of the display to areas that may be detected by the dedicated camera. The dedicated camera may also affect portions of the vehicle interior. Thus, although these dedicated cameras may review some vehicle displays, there is a need in the art for a new and improved means to review vehicle displays that may allow for more display options and interior locations.SummaryA display and test system for a vehicle having 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 the light from the light source and directing the light from the light source to the second fiber end and the second fiber end emitting the light to the display surface, a piezoelectric actuator coupled to the fiber optic cable adjacent the second fiber end, the piezoelectric actuator being actuated to oscillate the second fiber end to project an image onto the display surface while the light source is activated, and a photodetector configured to detect light, the second fiber end receiving the image reflected from the display surface and directing the image to the first fiber end, the first fiber end emits the image and directs it to the photodetector, and the photodetector detects a functionality of the display surface based on the image while the light source is activated.In one aspect, a dichroic mirror is located adjacent the first fiber end, the light source emits the light to the dichroic mirror, the dichroic mirror directs the light from the light source into the first fiber end, and the dichroic mirror allows the image emitted from the first fiber end to pass through the dichroic mirror to the photodetector.In another aspect, a bandpass filter is disposed between the dichroic mirror and the photodetector, the bandpass filter receiving the image from the dichroic mirror, filtering the image, and directing a filtered image to the photodetector.In another aspect, a fiber optic combiner / separator is coupled to the first fiber end, the light source, and the photodetector, wherein the fiber optic combiner / separator 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.In another aspect, a bandpass filter is disposed between the photodetector and the fiber optic combiner / separator, the bandpass filter receiving the image from the fiber optic combiner / separator, filtering the image, and directing a filtered image to the photodetector.In another aspect, a controller is in electrical communication with the light source and the photodetector, the controller including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions such that the processor is programmed to activate and deactivate the light source, determine ambient illumination of the display surface by deactivating the light source and measuring light received by the photodetector, and determine functionality of the display surface displaying the image by activating the light source, measuring image received by the photodetector, and subtracting the ambient illumination such that the image based solely on the light source is determined and determining functionality of the display surface displaying the image.In another embodiment, a display and test 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 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 second fiber end of the first fiber optic cable adjacent the first fiber optic cable and the second fiber end of the second fiber optic cable adjacent the second fiber optic cable, the piezoelectric actuator being actuated to oscillate the second fiber end of the first fiber optic cable, to project an image onto the display surface while the light source is activated and to oscillate the second fiber end of the second fiber optic cable with the second fiber 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, the first fiber end of the second fiber optic cable emits the image and directs it to the photodetector, and the photodetector detects functionality of the display surface based on the image while the light source is activated.In one aspect, a controller is in electrical communication with the light source, the photodetector, 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 source, activate the piezoelectric actuator to oscillate the second fiber end of the first fiber optic cable to project an image onto the display surface while the light source is activated, and determine functionality of the piezoelectric actuator that oscillates both the first fiber optic cable and the second fiber optic cable by determining that an image is received from the display surface by the photodetector when the light source is activated and the oscillation of the piezoelectric actuator is activated.In another aspect, a bandpass filter is disposed between the first fiber end of the second fiber optic cable and the photodetector, the bandpass filter receiving the image from the first fiber end of the second fiber optic cable, filtering the image, and directing a filtered image to the photodetector.In another aspect, a controller is in electrical communication with the light source and the photodetector, the controller including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions such that the processor is programmed to activate and deactivate the light source, determine ambient illumination of the display surface by deactivating the light source and measuring light received by the photodetector, and determine functionality of the display surface displaying the image by activating the light source, measuring image received by the photodetector, and subtracting the ambient illumination such that the image based solely on the light source is determined and determining functionality of the display surface displaying the image.In another embodiment, a display and test system for a vehicle having a display surface is provided. The system includes a first light source configured to emit a first light into a first fiber optic cable when activated, a second light source configured to emit a second light into a second fiber optic cable when activated, the second light being different than the first light, a third light source configured to emit a third light into a third fiber optic cable when activated, the third light being different than the first light and the second light, a first photodetector 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 respective first light, second light, and third light are emitted to the display surface, the piezoelectric actuator vibrates to cause the first light, the second light, and the third light to project an image onto the display surface, and the first photodetector receives the image reflected from the display surface via the fourth fiber optic cable and detects a functionality of the display surface based on the image while at least one of the light sources is activated.In one aspect, a fifth fiber optic cable has a first fiber end and a second fiber end opposite the first fiber end, and a fiber optic combiner / separator serves to combine the light received from a plurality of fiber optic cables and separate the received light between a plurality of fiber optic cables. The first fiber optic cable, the second fiber optic cable, and the third fiber optic cable emit the first light, the second light, and the third light to the fiber optic combiner / separator, the fiber optic combiner / separator directs the received first light, second light, and third light into the first fiber end, the first fiber end directs the light received from the fiber optic combiner / separator to the second fiber end, the piezoelectric actuator is coupled to the fifth fiber optic cable adjacent the second fiber end and vibrates the second fiber end when actuated, the second fiber end emits the light received from the first fiber end to the display surface, the second fiber end receives the image reflected from the display surface, and directs the image to the first fiber end, the first fiber end emits the image to the fiber optic combiner / separator, and the fiber optic combiner / separator directs the image to the first photodetector via the fourth fiber optic cable.In another aspect, a controller is in electrical communication with the light sources, the piezoelectric actuator, and the first photodetector, 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, determine the ambient illumination of the display surface by deactivating the light sources and measuring the light received by the photodetector, and determine the functionality of the display surface displaying the image by activating the light sources, measuring the image received by the first photodetector, and subtracting the ambient illumination such that the image based solely on the light sources is determined and determining the functionality of the display surface displaying the image.In another aspect, a controller is in electrical communication with the light sources, the piezoelectric actuator, and the first photodetector, the controller including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions such that the processor is programmed to separately activate and deactivate the light sources such that a single light source may be activated while all other light sources are deactivated, determine the functionality of the image-displaying display surface with respect to the first light source by activating the first light source while the second light source and the third light source are deactivated, and measure the image received by the first photodetector, determine the functionality of the image-displaying display surface with respect to the second light source by activating the second light source while the first light source and the third light source are deactivated, and measure the image received by the first photodetector, The functionality of the display surface displaying the image with respect to the third light source is determined by activating the third light source while the first light source and the second light source are deactivated and measuring the image received by the first photodetector.In another aspect, a second photodetector is configured to detect light received from a fifth fiber optic cable, a third photodetector is configured to detect light received from a sixth fiber optic cable, and a seventh fiber optic cable and an eighth fiber optic cable each have a first fiber end and a second fiber end opposite 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 directs the received light to the second fiber end of the seventh fiber optic cable, 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 second fiber end of the seventh fiber optic cable adjacent to the seventh fiber optic cable and the second fiber end of the eighth fiber optic cable adjacent to the eighth fiber optic cable, the piezoelectric actuator is actuated to oscillate the second fiber end of the seventh fiber optic cable to project an image onto the display surface while the light sources are activated, and to oscillate the second fiber end of the eighth fiber optic cable to the second fiber end of the seventh fiber optic cable, the second fiber end of the eighth fiber optic cable receives the image reflected from the display surface and directs the image to the first fiber end of the eighth fiber optic cable, the first fiber end of the eighth fiber optic cable directs the image to the photodetectors, and the photodetectors detect functionality of the display surface based on the image received while the light sources are activated.In another aspect, a fiber optic combiner is coupled to the first, second, and third fiber optic cables and the first fiber end of the seventh fiber optic cable and directs the first, second, and third lights into the first fiber end of the seventh fiber optic cable.In another aspect, each photodetector is configured to detect different wavelengths of light, and further comprising a bandpass filter that receives the image from the first fiber end of the eighth fiber optic cable, wherein the bandpass filter filters the image into three different filtered images and sends a first filtered image to the first photodetector, a second filtered image to the second photodetector, and a third filtered image to the third photodetector.In another aspect, a controller is in electrical communication with the light sources, the piezoelectric actuator, and the photodetectors, 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, determine the ambient illumination of the display surface by deactivating the light sources and measuring the light received by the photodetectors, and determine the functionality of the display surface displaying the image by activating the light sources, measuring the image received by the photodetectors, and subtracting the ambient illumination such that the image based solely on the light sources is determined and determining the functionality of the display surface displaying the image.In another aspect, 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, activate the piezoelectric actuator to oscillate the second fiber end of the seventh fiber optic cable to project the image onto the display surface while one or more of the light sources are activated, and oscillate the second fiber end of the eighth fiber optic cable with the second fiber end of the seventh fiber optic cable, and determine the functionality of the piezoelectric actuator that oscillates both the second fiber end of the seventh fiber optic cable and the second fiber end of the eighth fiber optic cable by determining to, receiving an image from the display surface by one or more of the photodetectors when one or more of the light sources is activated and vibration of the piezoelectric actuator is activated.In another aspect, a controller is in electrical communication with the light sources, the piezoelectric actuator, and the photodetectors, the controller including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions such that the processor is programmed to separately activate and deactivate the light sources such that a single light source may be activated while all other light sources are deactivated, determine the functionality of the image-displaying display surface with respect to the first light source by activating the first light source while the second light source and the third light source are deactivated, and measure the image received by the first photodetector, determine the functionality of the image-displaying display surface with respect to the second light source by activating the second light source while the first light source and the third light source are deactivated, and measure the image received by the second photodetector, The functionality of the display surface displaying the image with respect to the third is determined by activating the third light source while the first light source and the second light source are deactivated, and measuring the image received by the third photodetector.Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the specification and specific examples are for illustrative purposes only.Brief Description of the DrawingsThe drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an exemplary vehicle having a display and inspection system according to an aspect of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a display and inspection system according to an example embodiment; FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a display and inspection system according to an example embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a display and inspection system according to an example embodiment; FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a display and inspection system according to an example embodiment; FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a display and inspection system according to an example embodiment; FIG. 7 is a method of using the display and inspection systems described in the present disclosure to determine the functionality of the display surface displaying the projected image; and FIG. 8 is a method of using the display and inspection systems described in the present disclosure to determine the functionality of the piezoelectric actuator that vibrates the ends of two fiber optic cables together when an image is projected from one of the fiber optic cables.Detailed DescriptionThe following description is merely exemplary in nature.Referring to FIG. 1, an example vehicle 10 including a display and inspection system 12 in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated. Although the vehicle 10 is shown as a sedan, it may be envisioned that the vehicle 10 may be any other type of vehicle such as a pickup truck, a coupe truck, a sport utility vehicle (SUV), a recreational vehicle (RV), an aircraft, a watercraft, and other vehicles. The vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 14, a windshield 16, one or more A-pillars 18, a headliner 20, and a dashboard 22. the vehicle body 14 and the A-pillars 18 support the windshield 16. the windshield 16 serves as a display surface 23 for the vehicle 10 and includes particles or films that fluoresce in response to their excitation by a particular light to generate an image on the windshield 16. However, it should be appreciated that other surfaces in the vehicle 10 such as the A pillars 18, headliner 20, dashboard 22, etc. may also function as the display surface 23. When the display surface 23 is the windshield 16, the transparent phosphors may be included in the windshield 16. The transparent phosphors are light emitting particles that can fluoresce in response to their excitation by ultraviolet light and produce an image on the windshield 16 that can be viewed by an occupant of the vehicle 10. The transparent phosphors may have various colors such as red, green and blue to enable a full color image. The windshield 16 may also include other light emitting particles or films that fluoresce in response to other light sources.As described below, the display and inspection system 12 is configured to project light onto the display surface 23 and generate images on the display surface 23 on the windshield 16. The display and inspection system 12 may inspect the functionality of the display surface 23 displaying the images and the functionality of other components of the display and inspection system 12.Referring to FIG. 2, the display and inspection system 12 is illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment for displaying an image 24 on the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 and inspecting the functionality of the display surface 23 displaying the image 24. The display and inspection 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.The dichroic mirror is adjacent to the light source 26, and the light source 26, when activated, emits a light 39 to the dichroic mirror 28. As an example, the light source 26 may be configured to emit a green light, a red light, a blue light, or other wavelength light, or may be configured to be capable of emitting different wavelength light, such that it may emit a first wavelength light or emit a second wavelength light different from the first wavelength.The dichroic mirror 28 is a component that serves to transmit light having a wavelength within a configured transmission band and reflect light of all other wavelengths. Dichroic mirror 28 is positioned to receive light 39 from light source 26 and is oriented to direct light 39 via reflection to fiber optic cable 30.Fiber optic cables are configured to transmit or forward light. The fiber optic cable 30 may be flexible and long enough to facilitate very small packaging and placement of components of the display and inspection system 12 at a variety of locations in the vehicle 10. As an example, the fiber optic cable 30 may be between three and six meters (ten and twenty feet) in length. The fiber optic cable 30 includes a first fiber end 40 and a second fiber end 42 opposite the first end 40. the first fiber end 40 receives the 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.Piezoelectric actuator 32 is a device that converts an electrical signal into a precisely controlled physical displacement. The piezoelectric actuator 32 is coupled to the fiber optic cable 30 at a location adjacent the second fiber end 42. The piezoelectric actuator 32 is controlled using an algorithm to generate / project the required images, and when actuated, vibrates the second fiber end 42 to project the image 24 onto the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 so that an occupant of the vehicle 10 can see the image 24. As an example, the image 24 may include details (enumerations) about the operation or condition of the vehicle 10.During inspection of the display surface 23, the second fiber end 42 receives a light 44 from the windshield 16. the light 44 includes ambient illumination passing through the windshield 16, and when the light source 26 is activated and the image 24 is projected onto the display surface 23, the light 44 also includes the image reflected from the display surface 23 on the windshield 16. The fiber optic cable 30 forwards the light 44 from the second fiber end 42 to the first fiber end 40. The first fiber end 40 emits the light 44 to the dichroic mirror 28, and the dichroic mirror 28 passes the light 44 to the bandpass filter 34.The bandpass filter 34 may be a fixed filter or an adjustable filter to filter the light 44 such that a 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 image-containing and filtered light 44. For example, the desired filtered light 46 may correspond to 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 included in the light 44 when the display surface 23 of the windshield 16 is functioning properly. The bandpass filter 34, if adjustable, may be controllable to allow different desired filtered light 46 to pass therethrough and, by way of example, may allow the filtered light 46 to be the same as the light 44 to avoid filtering the light 44, if desired. As an example, the bandpass filter 34 may be absorbent and absorb unwanted light. Bandpass filter 34 may include multiple layers of dielectric coatings applied to a substrate. Further, the bandpass filter 34 may include spectral and absorption filters made by a combination of lamination, cemented layers, and thin film coatings. The bandpass filter 34 directs the filtered light 46 to the photodetector 36.The photodetector 36 is a device that includes one or more sensors that function to convert the photon energy of a received light into an electrical signal. The electrical signal may be further processed or stored. The photodetector 36, in conjunction with the controller 38 if desired, serves to measure received light and determine characteristics of the received light such as intensity, power, intensity distribution, wavefront shape, energy, and wavelength.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 operation of the display and inspection system 12 to display the image 24 on the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 and inspection functionality of the display surface 23 displaying the image 24. the controller 38 is 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 a desired filtered light 46, and measure the light received by the photodetector 36.The controller 38 includes at least one processor 48 and a non-transitory computer readable storage device or media 50. the processor 48 may be a custom or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an auxiliary processor among multiple processors connected to the vehicle 10, a semiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chip set), a macroprocessor, a combination thereof, or generally an apparatus for executing instructions. The computer readable storage device or media 50 may include volatile and nonvolatile memories in read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and keep alive memory (KAM). KAM is persistent or non-volatile memory that can be used to store various operating variables while the processor 48 is off. The computer readable storage device or media 50 may be implemented using a number of storage devices, such as programmable read only memory (PROMs), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROMs), flash memory, or other electrical, magnetic, optical, or combined storage devices capable of storing data, some of which represent executable instructions, used by vehicle controllers to control various systems of the vehicle 10. The controller 38 may also be comprised of a plurality of controllers in electrical communication with one another. The controller 38 may be connected to additional systems and / or controllers of the vehicle 10, which allows the controller 38 to access data of the vehicle 10.Referring now to FIG. 3, a display and inspection system 51 for displaying an image 24 on the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 and inspecting the functionality of the display surface 23 displaying the image 24 is illustrated according to another exemplary embodiment. The display and test system 51 is similar to the display and test system 12 shown in Figure 2, and like components are identified by like reference numerals. The display and inspection system 51 includes the light source 26, a fiber optic combiner / separator 52, multiple fiber optic cables, the piezoelectric actuator 32, the bandpass filter 34, the photodetector 36, and the controller 38.The fiber optic combiner / separator 52 is a device to combine multiple fiber optic cables with one-way (feed or receive) light transmission with a single fiber optic cable with a two-way light transmission that receives and provides light. The fiber optic combiner / separator 52 has an input port connectable to a fiber optic cable to receive input light from the fiber optic cable connected to the input port. The fiber optic combiner / separator 52 has a two-way port connected to a fiber optic cable, and transmits the light from the fiber optic cable connected to the input port to the fiber optic cable connected to the two-way port, and receives a return light from the fiber optic cable connected to the two-way port. The fiber optic combiner / separator 52 has an output port connected to a fiber optic cable and transmits a received return light to the fiber optic cable connected to the output port.The light source 26, when activated, emits the light 39 to the fiber optic combiner / separator 52 via a first fiber optic cable 53. the fiber optic combiner / separator 52 directs the light 39 to the first fiber end 40 of a second fiber optic cable 55 that directs the light 39 to the second fiber end 42 and the second fiber end 42 emits the light 39 to the display surface 23 on the windshield 16. the piezoelectric actuator 32 is coupled to the second fiber optic cable 55 at a location adjacent the second fiber end 42. The piezoelectric actuator 32, when actuated, vibrates the second fiber end 42 to project the image 24 onto the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 so that an occupant 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 ambient illumination that passes through the windshield 16, and when the light source 26 is activated and the image 24 is projected onto the display surface 23, the light 44 also includes the image reflected from the display surface 23 on the windshield 16. The second fiber optic cable 55 directs the light 44 from the second fiber end 42 to the fiber optic combiner / separator 52 The fiber optic combiner / separator 52 directs the light 44 via a third fiber optic cable 57 to the bandpass filter 34 The bandpass filter 34, if adjustable, can be controlled to allow different filtered light 46 to pass therethrough 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 via a fourth fiber optic cable 59. the photodetector 36 is operable to measure 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 operation of the display and inspection system 51 to display the image 24 on the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 and inspection of the functionality of the display surface 23 displaying the image 24. the controller 38 is 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 a desired filtered light 46, and measure the light received by the photodetector 36.Referring now to FIG. 4, a display and inspection system 61 according to another exemplary embodiment is illustrated to display an image 24 on the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 and to inspect the functionality of the display surface 23 displaying the image 24 as well as the functionality of the piezoelectric actuator 32 configured to simultaneously oscillate both a first fiber optic cable 63 and a second fiber optic cable 65. The display and test system 61 is similar to the display and test system 12 shown in FIG. 2 and the display and test system 51 shown in FIG. 3, and like components are denoted by like reference numerals. The display and inspection system 61 includes the light source 26, the piezoelectric actuator 32, the bandpass filter 34, the photodetector 36, and the controller 38. The light source 26, when activated, emits the light 39 to the first fiber end 40 of the first fiber optic cable 63 that forwards the light 39 to the second fiber end 42 and the second fiber end 42 emits the light 39 to the display surface 23 on the windshield 16.The piezoelectric actuator 32 is coupled to the first fiber optic cable 63 at a location adjacent the second fiber end 42 and to the second fiber optic cable 65 at a location adjacent the second fiber end 42. The piezoelectric actuator 32, when actuated, oscillates 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 while the light source 26 is activated and oscillates 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, may be controllable to allow different, desired filtered light 46 to pass therethrough 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 third fiber optic cable 66. the photodetector 36 serves to measure the received light and determine the 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 inspection system 61 to display the image 24 on the display surface 23 of the windshield 16, inspection of the functionality of the display surface 23 displaying the image 24, and the functionality of the piezoelectric actuator 32 that vibrates both the first and second fiber optic cables 63 and 65 simultaneously. 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 oscillate both the first and second fiber optic cables 63 and 65, control the bandpass filter 34 if adjustable to obtain a desired filtered light 46, and measure the light received by the photodetector 36.Referring now to FIG. 5, a display and inspection system 79 for displaying an image 24 on the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 and inspecting the functionality of the display surface 23 displaying the image 24 is illustrated according to another exemplary embodiment. The display and test system 79 is similar to the display and test system 12 shown in FIG. 2, the display and test system 51 shown in FIG. 3, the display and test system 61 shown in FIG. 4, and like components are denoted by like reference numerals. The display and inspection system 79 includes a plurality of light sources, a fiber optic combiner / separator 70, a plurality of fiber optic cables, the piezoelectric actuator 32, the photodetector 36, and the controller 38.The fiber optic combiner / separator 70 is a device for combining multiple single-pass (feed or receive) light transmission fiber optic cables with a single two-way light transmission fiber optic cable that receives and feeds light. The fiber optic combiner / separator 70 has three input ports each connectable to a fiber optic cable to receive input lights from fiber optic cables connected to the input ports and combines the input lights received via the input ports into a combined light. The fiber optic combiner / separator 70 has a two-way port connected to a fiber optic cable, and transmits the combined light to the fiber optic cable connected to the two-way port and receives a return light from the fiber optic cable connected to the two-way port. The fiber optic combiner / separator 70 has an output port connected to a fiber optic cable and transmits received return light to the fiber optic cable connected to the output port.The light sources include a first light source 67 that, when activated, emits a first light 71 into a first fiber optic cable 72 connected to the fiber optic combiner / separator 70, a second light source 68 that, when activated, emits a second light 73 into a second fiber optic cable 74 connected to the fiber optic combiner / separator 70, and a third light source 69 that, when activated, emits a third light 75 into a third fiber optic cable 76 connected to the fiber optic combiner / separator 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 an example, the first light 71 may be a red light, the second light 73 may be a green light, and the third light 75 may be a blue light. The first, second, and third fiber optic cables 72, 74, and 75 direct the first, second, and third lights 71, 73, and 75 to the fiber optic combiner / separator 70. the fiber optic combiner / separator 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 a fourth fiber optic cable 78, which directs the combined light 77 to the second fiber end 42, and the second fiber end 42 emits the combined light 77 to the display surface 23 on the windshield 16. The piezoelectric actuator 32, when actuated, vibrates the second fiber end 42 to project the image 24 onto the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 so that an occupant 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 ambient illumination passing 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 also includes the image reflected from the display surface 23 on the windshield 16. The fourth fiber optic cable 78 directs the light 44 from the second fiber end 42 to the fiber optic combiner / separator 70. The fiber optic combiner / separator 70 directs the light 44 to the photodetector 36 via a fifth fiber optic cable 80. the photodetector 36 serves to measure the received light 44 and determine characteristics of the received light 44. The photodetector 36 may be capable of determining the characteristics 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 may be limited to determining the characteristics of the received light 44 only when a particular one of the first, second, and third light sources 67, 68, and 69 is activated. The controller 38 is connected to the first, second, and third light sources 67, 68, and 69, the piezoelectric actuator 32, and the photodetector 36. The controller 38 controls operation of the display and inspection system 79 to display the image 24 on the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 and inspection functionality of the display surface 23 displaying the image 24. the controller 38 is 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.Referring now to FIG. 6, a display and inspection system 82 according to another exemplary embodiment is illustrated to display an image 24 on the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 and to inspect the functionality of the display surface 23 displaying the image 24 and the functionality of the piezoelectric actuator 32 configured to simultaneously vibrate a fourth fiber optic cable 84 and a fifth fiber optic cable 86 together. The display and test system 82 is similar to the display and test system 12 shown in FIG. 2, the display and test system 51 shown in FIG. 3, the display and test system 61 shown in FIG. 4, the display and test system 79 shown in FIG. 5, and like components are denoted by like reference numerals. The display and inspection system 82 includes the first, second, and third light sources 67, 68, and 69, a plurality of fiber optic cables, a fiber optic combiner 56, the piezoelectric actuator 32, a fiber optic filter / separator 58, a plurality of photodetectors, and the controller 38.The fiber optic combiner 56 is a device for combining multiple fiber optic cables having one-way transmission of light and each supplying light with a single fiber optic cable having one-way transmission of light and receiving light. The fiber optic combiner 56 has three input ports each connectable to a fiber optic cable to receive input lights from fiber optic cables connected to the input ports and combines the input lights received via the input ports into a combined light. The fiber optic combiner 56 has an output port connected to a fiber optic cable and transmits the combined light to the fiber optic cable connected to the output port.The fiber optic filter / separator 58 is an apparatus for combining a single fiber optic cable having one-way transmission of light and supplying light with multiple fiber optic cables having one-way transmission of light and receiving light. The fiber optic filter / separator 58 has an input port connectable to a fiber optic cable to receive input light from the fiber optic cable connected to the input port, and filters and separates the received input light into three different filtered lights. The fiber optic filter / separator 58 has three output ports each connectable to a fiber optic cable and transmits one of the filtered lights to a respective one of the fiber optic cables connected to an output port such that each fiber optic cable connected to an output port receives a different filtered light.The first light source 67, when activated, emits the first light 71 into a first fiber optic cable 88 connected to the fiber optic combiner 56, the second light source 68, when activated, emits the second light 73 into a second fiber optic cable 90 connected to the fiber optic combiner 56, and the third light source 69, when activated, emits the third light 75 into a 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 an example, the first light 71 may be a red light, the second light 73 may be a green light, and the third light 75 may be a blue light. The first, second, and third fiber optic cables 88, 90, and 92 direct the first, second, and third lights 71, 73, and 75 to the fiber optic combiner 56. the fiber optic combiner 56 combines the first, second, and third lights 71, 73, and 75 into a combined light 94 and transmits the combined light 94 into the first fiber end 40 of the fourth fiber optic cable 84 that directs 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 directs the light to the fiber optic filter / separator 58. The piezoelectric actuator 32 is coupled to the fourth fiber optic cable 84 at a location adjacent the second fiber end 42 and to the fifth fiber optic cable 86 at a location adjacent the second fiber end 42. The piezoelectric actuator 32, when actuated, oscillates the second fiber end 42 of the fourth fiber optic cable 84 to project the image 24 onto the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 while one or more of the first, second and third light sources 67, 68 and 69 are activated and to oscillate the second fiber end 42 of the fifth fiber optic cable 86 with the second fiber end 42 of the fourth fiber optic cable 84.The fiber optic filter / separator 58 serves 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 a first photodetector 95 via a sixth fiber optic cable 96. The second filtered light 62 is transmitted to a second photodetector 97 via a seventh fiber optic cable 98. The third filtered light 64 is transmitted to a third photodetector 99 via an eighth fiber optic cable 91. The filtered light transmitted to a photodetector may be based on the ability of the photodetector to measure the received light and determine characteristics of the received light, such that the functionality of the image displaying display surface 23 may be determined based on the light provided by an activated light source. As an example, the fiber optic filter / separator 58 may be configured to process and provide the light 44: the first photodetector 95, via the sixth fiber optic cable 96, with the first filtered light 60 related to the first light 71 provided by the first light source 67 and corresponding to the ability of the first photodetector 95 to measure and determine the characteristics of the first filtered light 60; the second photodetector 97, via the seventh fiber optic cable 98, with the second filtered light 62 related to the second light 73 provided by the second light source 68 and corresponding to the ability of the second photodetector 97 to measure and determine the characteristics of the second filtered light 62; and the third photodetector 99 is, via the eighth fiber optic cable 91, third filtered light 64 related to the third light 75 provided by the third light source 69 and corresponding to the ability of the third photodetector 99 to measure and determine the characteristics of the third filtered light 64.The controller 38 controls operation of the display and inspection system 82 to display the image 24 on the display surface 23 on the windshield 16 and to inspect the functionality of the display surface 23 displaying the image 24 and the functionality of the piezoelectric actuator 32 that vibrates both the fourth and fifth fiber optic cables 84 and 86 simultaneously. The controller 38 is operative 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 oscillate both 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.Referring now to FIG. 7, a display inspection method 100 for using the display and inspection systems 12, 51, 61, 79, and 82 to determine the functionality of the display surface 23 according to the principles of the present disclosure is illustrated. The display inspection method 100 begins in step 102, in which for the display and inspection systems 12, 51 and 61 the controller 38 activates the light source 26 to emit the light 39 that is directed into the associated first, second and first fiber optic cables 30, 55 and 63 that directs the light 39 to the second fiber end 42 that emits the light 39 onto the display surface 23, and for the display and inspection 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 the lights 77 and 94 that are directed into the associated fourth fiber optic cables 78 and 84 that direct the light 77 and 94 to the second fiber end 42 that emits the light 39 onto the display surface 23. In the display and inspection systems 79 and 82, the controller 38 could activate multiple light sources 67, 68, and 69, which generate lights 71, 73, and 75, respectively, having different characteristics. As an example, the first, second, and third light sources 67, 68, and 69, which generate a red light, a blue light, and a green light, may be activated together or individually by the controller 38 to be able to determine the functionality of the display surface 23, a projected image 24 generated by a red light, a blue light, and a green light. The display verification method 100 then proceeds to step 104.In step 104, the controller 38 causes the image 24 to be projected onto the display surface 23 of the windshield 16 by activating the piezoelectric actuator 32 using an algorithm that causes the piezoelectric actuator 32 to oscillate the second end 42 of the fiber optic cable that emits the light to the display surface 23 to generate / project required images. In the display and inspection systems 12, 51 and 79, the controller 38 activates the piezoelectric actuator 32 to oscillate the second fiber end 42 of the fiber optic cable 30, the second fiber optic cable 55, and the fourth fiber optic cable 78. In the display and inspection 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. In the display and inspection 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 verification method 100 then proceeds to step 106.In step 106, the light 44 reflected from the display surface 23 enters the second fiber end 42 of the fiber optic cable that has been vibrated by the piezoelectric actuator 32 and is directed to a photodetector that measures the received light and determines the characteristics of the received light. In the display and test systems 12, 51, 61 and 79, the light 44 is received by the second fiber end 42 of the associated fiber optic cable 30, second fiber optic cable 55, second fiber optic cable 65 and fourth fiber optic cable 78 and directed to the photodetector 36 and filtered by the bandpass filter 34 in the display and test systems 12, 51 and 61 before being received by the photodetector 36. The photodetectors 36 measure the received light and determine characteristics of the received light. In the display and inspection system 82, the light 44 received by the second fiber end 42 of the fifth fiber optic cable 86 is directed to the fiber optic filter / separator 58, which filters and separates the light 44 into first, second and third filtered lights 60, 62 and 64, which are directed to first, second and third photodetectors 95, 97 and 99, which measure the received light and determine characteristics of the received light.The characteristics of the received light may be compared to expected characteristics of the received light to determine the functionality of the display surface 23 displaying a projected image 24. Optionally, the light 44 may be filtered to allow the light 44 to include certain characteristics based on the ability of the receiving photodetector to measure the received light and determine characteristics of the received light so that the functionality of the image displaying display surface 23 may be determined based on the characteristics of the light provided by an activated light source. As an example, as possible in the display and inspection system 82, multiple light sources 67, 68, and 69 emitting different lights 71, 73, and 75 may be activated, and multiple photodetectors 95, 97, and 99 may be used to display the functionality of the display surface 23 to determine an image based on the different lights provided by the different activated light sources, and may allow for a determination of the display surface 23 that is unable or able to display an image based on a particular property of the light, such as its color.The light 44 may include ambient illumination that passes through the windshield 16. Optionally, the ambient illumination can be determined and removed from the determination of the functionality of the display area 23 to display an image 24. The current ambient illumination can be determined by means of a photodetector by deactivating all light sources and measuring the light received by means of the photodetector. The light sources to be evaluated may then be activated and the associated photodetector may measure the received light and subtract or remove the determined current ambient light illumination to determine the characteristics of the received light based on the activated light sources and determine the functionality of the display surface 23 to display an image 24 based on the activated light sources.Referring now to FIG. 8, a test method 200 for using the display and test systems 61 and 82 to determine the functionality of a piezoelectric actuator 32 is illustrated that is coupled to two fiber optic cables at a location adjacent the second fiber ends 42 and that is configured to simultaneously vibrate the two second fiber 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 in step 202, wherein the controller 38 in the display and test system 61 activates the light source 26 to emit the light 39 to the first fiber optic cable 63 coupled to the piezoelectric actuator 32 along with the second fiber optic cable 65, and in the display and test system 82, activates at least one of the light sources 67, 69, and 69 to emit at least one of the first, second, and third lights 71, 73, and 75 that passes through the fiber optic combiner 56 and is directed to the fourth fiber optic cable 84 coupled to the piezoelectric actuator 32 along with the fifth fiber optic cable 86. The test method 200 then proceeds to step 204.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 using an algorithm that causes the piezoelectric actuator 32 to oscillate the second end 42 of the fiber optic cable that emits the light to the display surface 23 to generate / project required images. In the display and inspection system 61, the activated piezoelectric actuator 32 vibrates the second fiber ends 42 of the first and second fiber optic cables 63 and 65 together while the first fiber optic cable 63 projects the image 24 onto the display surface 23 and the second fiber ends 42 of the first and second fiber optic cables 63 and 65 are to vibrate together simultaneously, and in the display and inspection system 82, the activated piezoelectric actuator 32 vibrates the second fiber ends 42 of the fourth and fifth fiber optic cables 84 and 86 together while the fourth fiber optic cable 84 projects the image 24 onto the display surface 23 and the second fiber ends 42 of the fourth and fifth fiber optic cables 84 and 86 are to vibrate together simultaneously. The test method 200 then proceeds to step 206.In step 206, the light 44 from the windshield 16 is received by the oscillating second fiber end 42 of the second fiber optic cable 65 in the display and test system 61 and is received by the oscillating second fiber end 42 of the fifth fiber optic cable 86 in the display and test system 82. In the display and inspection system 61, the second fiber optic cable 65 directs the received light 44 through the bandpass filter 34 to the photodetector 36. in the display and inspection system 82, the fifth fiber optic cable 86 directs the received light 44 through the fiber optic filter / separator 58 to the first, second and third photodetectors 95, 97 and 99. The photodetectors 36, 95, 97 and 99 measure the received light 44 and determine whether the light 44 contains a portion of the image 24 projected by the simultaneously oscillating, light emitting first and fourth fiber optic cables 63 and 84. The light 44 may optionally be filtered in the display and inspection system 61 via the bandpass filter 34 to allow the photodetector 36 to determine that the filtered light 46 includes a portion of the projected image 24, and filtered in the display and inspection system 82 via the fiber optic filter / separator 58 to allow the first, second and third photodetectors 95, 97 and 99 to determine that the first, second and third filtered lights 60, 62 and 64 include a portion of the projected image 24. The inclusion of a portion of the projected image 24 in the light 44 indicates that the piezoelectric actuator 32 is coupled to and vibrates the second fiber ends 42 of the two first and second fiber optic cables 63 and 65 in the display and test system 61 and the two fourth and fifth fiber optic cables 84 and 86 in the display and test system 82. The determination that the piezoelectric actuator 32 is coupled to and vibrates the second fiber ends 42 of both the first and second fiber optic cables 63 and 65 indicates that the piezoelectric actuator 32 is operable in the display and test system 61 and both the fourth and fifth fiber optic cables 84 and 86 indicate that the piezoelectric actuator 32 is operable in the display and test system 82.The display and inspection systems 12, 51, 61, 79, and 82 according to the present disclosure provide many advantages. At least one of the light sources 26 may be configured as an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) to maximize the lifetime of the light source 26. Due to the length of the fiber optic cables 30 (e.g., between three and six meters (ten and twenty feet)), the light sources 26, the photodetectors 36, the bandpass filters 34, the fiber optic combiners / separators 52 and 70, the fiber optic combiners 56, and the fiber optic filters / separators 58 may be positioned far from the display surface 23 of the windshield 16 to optimize the vehicle package (VEH). The display and inspection systems 12, 51, 61, 79, and 82 do not require a projection system directly in front of the windshield 16, and the components and possibly the entire projector portion of the display and inspection systems 12, 51, 61, 79, and 82 may be mounted under the seats, under the dashboard 22, in the A-pillars 18, above a headliner, or in any hidden space. The display and test systems 12, 51, 61, 79 and 82 can eliminate the requirements for occupancy of the interior of the vehicle 10. As an example, the fiber optic cables 30 may be between three and six meters (ten and twenty feet) in length. The display and test systems 12, 51, 61, 79 and 82 can eliminate requirements for occupancy of the interior of the vehicle 10.

Claims

A display and test system (12) for a vehicle (10) having a display surface (23), comprising: a light source (26) configured to emit a light when activated; a fiber optic cable (30) having a first fiber end (40) and a second fiber end (42) opposite the first fiber end (40), wherein the first fiber end (40) receives the light (39) from the light source (26) and directs the light (39) from the light source (26) to the second fiber end (42), and the second fiber end (42) emits the light to the display surface (23); a piezoelectric actuator (32) coupled to the fiber optic cable (30) adjacent the second fiber end (42), the piezoelectric actuator (32) being actuated to oscillate the second fiber end (42) to project an image (24) onto the display surface (23) while the light source (26) is activated; and a photodetector (36) configured to detect light, wherein the second fiber end (42) receives the image (24) reflected from the display surface (23) and directs the image (24) to the first fiber end (40), the first fiber end (40) emits the image (24) and directs it to the photodetector (36), and the photodetector (36) detects functionality of the display surface (23) based on the image (24) while the light source (26) is activated.The display and inspection system (12) of claim 1, further comprising a dichroic mirror (28) adjacent the first fiber end (40), wherein the light source (26) emits the light to the dichroic mirror (28), the dichroic mirror (28) directs the light from the light source (26) into the first fiber end (40), and the dichroic mirror (28) allows the image (24) emitted from the first fiber end (40) to pass through the dichroic mirror (28) to the photodetector (36).The display and inspection system (12) of claim 2, further comprising a bandpass filter (34) disposed between the dichroic mirror and the photodetector, the bandpass filter (34) receiving the image (24) from the dichroic mirror (28), filtering the image (24), and directing a filtered image (24) to the photodetector (36).The display and inspection system (12) of claim 1, further comprising a fiber optic combiner / separator (52) coupled to the first fiber end (40), the light source (26), and the photodetector (36), wherein the fiber optic combiner / separator (52) directs the light (39) from the light source (26) to the first fiber end (40) and directs the image (24) emitted from the first fiber end (40) to the photodetector (36).The display and inspection system (12) of claim 4, further comprising a bandpass filter (34) disposed between the photodetector (36) and the fiber optic combiner / separator, the bandpass filter (34) receiving the image (24) from the fiber optic combiner / separator, filtering the image (24), and directing a filtered image (24) to the photodetector.The display and inspection system (12) of claim 1, further comprising a controller (38) in electrical communication with the light source (26) and the photodetector (36), the controller (38) including a processor (48) and a memory (50), the memory (50) including instructions such that the processor (48) is programmed to: activate and deactivate the light source (26); determine ambient illumination of the display surface (23) by deactivating the light source (26) and measuring light received by the photodetector (36); and determines the functionality of the display surface (23) displaying the image (24) by activating the light source (26), measuring the image (24) received by the photodetector (36), and subtracting the ambient illumination, so that the image based solely on the light source (26) is determined and determining the functionality of the display surface (23) displaying the image (24).A display and test system (51) for a vehicle (10) having a display surface (23), comprising: a light source (26) configured to emit a light (39) when activated; a first fiber optic cable (63) and a second fiber optic cable (65) each having a first fiber end (40) and a second fiber end (42) opposite the first fiber end (40), wherein the first fiber end (40) of the first fiber optic cable (63) receives the light (39) from the light source (26) and directs the light (39) from the light source (26) to the second fiber end (42) of the first fiber optic cable (40) and the second fiber end (42) of the first fiber optic cable (63) emits the light to the display surface (23); a piezoelectric actuator (32) coupled to the first fiber optic cable (63) adjacent the second fiber end (42) of the first fiber optic cable (63) and to the second fiber end (42) of the second fiber optic cable (65) adjacent the second fiber optic cable (65), the piezoelectric actuator (32) being actuated to oscillate the second fiber end (42) of the first fiber optic cable (63) to project an image (24) onto the display surface (23) while the light source (26) is activated and to oscillate 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); A photodetector (36) configured to detect light (44), wherein the second fiber end (42) of the second fiber optic cable (65) receives the image (24) reflected from the display surface (23) and directs the image (24) to the first fiber end (40) of the second fiber optic cable (65), the first fiber end (40) of the second fiber optic cable (65) emits the image (24) and directs it to the photodetector (36), and the photodetector (36) detects functionality of the display surface (23) based on the image (24) while the light source (26) is activated.The display and inspection system (51) of claim 7, further comprising a controller (38) in electrical communication with the light source (26), the photodetector (36), and the piezoelectric actuator (32), the controller (38) including a processor (48) and a memory (50), the memory (50) including instructions such that the processor (48) is programmed to: activate and deactivate the light source (26); activate the piezoelectric actuator (32) to oscillate the second fiber end (42) of the first fiber optic cable (63) to project an image (24) onto the display surface (23) while the light source (26) is activated; and determines the functionality of the piezoelectric actuator (32) that vibrates both the first fiber optic cable (63) and the second fiber optic cable (65) by determining that an image (24) is received from the display surface (23) by the photodetector (36) when the light source (26) is activated and the vibration of the piezoelectric actuator (32) is activated.The display and inspection system (51) of claim 7, further comprising a bandpass filter (34) disposed between the first fiber end (40) of the second fiber optic cable (65) and the photodetector (36), the bandpass filter (34) receiving the image (24) from the first fiber end (40) of the second fiber optic cable (65), filtering the image (24), and directing a filtered image (24) to the photodetector (36).The display and inspection system (51) of claim 7, further comprising a controller (38) in electrical communication with the light source (26) and the photodetector (36), the controller (38) including a processor (48) and a memory (50), the memory (50) including instructions such that the processor (48) is programmed to: activate and deactivate the light source (26); determine ambient illumination of the display surface (23) by deactivating the light source (26) and measuring light received by the photodetector (36); and determines the functionality of the display surface (23) displaying the image (24) by activating the light source (26), measuring the image (24) received by the photodetector (36), and subtracting the ambient illumination, so that the image based solely on the light source (26) is determined and determining the functionality of the display surface (23) displaying the image (24).

Images