Motor Vehicle Window with Electro-Optic Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle window technologies are limited in their ability to display multi-colored advertisements, textual messages, or video applications due to uniform light transmittance changes, require complex and bulky control equipment, and need frequent replenishment of color agents, with the added requirement of a projector for image visibility.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle window with an electrically actuated variable light transmission medium, such as electro-optical conductive polymer, electronic ink, LCD, or OLED, that allows for rapid and flexible image display control through a user input device and control system, eliminating the need for a projector and enabling high-resolution advertising or messaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a projector is used to display images on the window, then image visibility is achieved, but device complexity and air space occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage visibilityVSAvoidprojector equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the display function from the traditional projector system and integrates it directly into the window structure itself. The window glass becomes the display medium through embedded electro-optical layers, eliminating the need for separate projector equipment and reducing device complexity while maintaining image visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The window serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a protective barrier and an active display medium. By integrating electro-optical conductive polymer cells and light-emitting materials directly into the window structure, the window becomes a multi-functional component that combines protection, transparency control, and image display capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Illumination intensity

If electro-optical conductive polymer cells are used for uniform light transmittance control, then light transmission adjustment is achieved, but multi-colored display capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight transmittance controlVSAvoidmulti-colored display

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the window into multiple electro-optical conductive polymer cells that can be independently controlled. Each cell can display different colors or transmittance levels, allowing the window to show multi-colored images, text, or video while maintaining overall light transmission control through coordinated operation of individual cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the window can have different optical properties through localized control of electro-optical cells. Specific areas can be adjusted to display particular colors or transmittance levels according to the image requirements, while other regions maintain different settings, enabling both uniform control and multi-colored display capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If fluid-based color display systems are used, then color display is achieved, but response time and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor displayVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical fluid-based color display systems with electro-optical conductive polymer cells that respond to electrical signals. This substitution eliminates the need for fluid pumping, valve control, and mechanical movement, achieving rapid response times while maintaining color display versatility through electrical control of polymer conductivity and optical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables fast, high-resolution, and versatile image display on vehicle windows without the need for a projector, supporting advertising, messaging, or video applications with improved response time and reduced complexity.

Implementation Method 1

an electrically actuated variable light transmission medium disposed in close proximity to said at least one glass or plastic panel, wherein the image displayed on said vehicle window is controllable in response to the electric field generated by a control device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro-optical effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Implementation Method 2

a first layer comprising a conductive polymer and a second layer comprising a conductive polymer, each said layer having a different electrical conductivity when exposed to ultraviolet light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoconductivity: Photoconductivity

Data Source

PatentUS7791785B2Controllably displayable motor vehicle window and method of advertising or messaging with the same

Publication Date: 2010.09.07 WEBNET LTD

AI summary

A controllably displayable motor vehicle window is (20) disclosed provided with at least one optically transmittable glass or plastic panel (22) and an electrically actuated variable light transmission medium (24, 25) disposed in close proximity to the at least one glass or plastic panel. The image displayed on the vehicle window (20) is controllable in response to the electric field generated by a control device (95) in communication with the variable light transmission medium and with a user input device (101-105, 107) A method of advertising or messaging using the controllably displayable motor vehicle window is also disclosed.