Abstract: An apparatus and method, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a transparent lighting source, a switchable opaque film bonded to the transparent lighting source to provide a vehicle component, and an electrical connection that connects to the transparent lighting source and the switchable opaque film such that the switchable opaque film is electrically controlled to switch between an opaque state and a transparent state. A control unit independently controls the switchable opaque film and the transparent lighting source based on a predetermined application for the vehicle component.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus used for providing control of functions of a vehicle in response to touch commands of an authorized passenger. The functions for which the authorized passenger is provided control are disallowed to the driver when the vehicle is moving. The passenger is authorized with two-factor authentication. The first of the two factors is the fingerprint of the passenger which is enrolled before vehicle movement. The second factor is the location of the passenger. The first factor is used when an occupant attempts to control disallowed functions. The second factor is used when an occupant attempts to enroll a fingerprint. A display panel displays a prompt to enroll a fingerprint before vehicle movement, uses a fingerprint interface to enroll an original fingerprint, and instantaneously captures fingerprints of those attempting to control disallowed functions and compares them to enrolled fingerprints.

Abstract: An apparatus and method, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a transparent lighting source, a switchable opaque film bonded to the transparent lighting source to provide a vehicle component, and an electrical connection that connects to the transparent lighting source and the switchable opaque film such that the switchable opaque film is electrically controlled to switch between an opaque state and a transparent state. A control unit independently controls the switchable opaque film and the transparent lighting source based on a predetermined application for the vehicle component.

Abstract: A retractable video screen has switchable opaque films laminated onto a transparent display panel. A transport unit at a headliner of a passenger cabin includes a motorized carrier configured to move the video screen to 1) a stowed position in which the video screen is retained horizontally in the transport unit, 2) a forward position where the video screen hangs vertically from a forward end of the transport unit, and 3) a rearward position where video screen hangs vertically from a rearward end of the transport unit. A first opaque film is opaque and a second opaque film is clear when the carrier is forward, so that the display panel is viewable from the seating area. The second opaque film is opaque and the first opaque film is clear when the carrier is rearward, so that the display panel is viewable from outside the vehicle through the liftgate opening.

Abstract: A retractable video screen has switchable opaque films laminated onto a transparent display panel. A transport unit at a headliner of a passenger cabin includes a motorized carrier configured to move the video screen to 1) a stowed position in which the video screen is retained horizontally in the transport unit, 2) a forward position where the video screen hangs vertically from a forward end of the transport unit, and 3) a rearward position where video screen hangs vertically from a rearward end of the transport unit. A first opaque film is opaque and a second opaque film is clear when the carrier is forward, so that the display panel is viewable from the seating area. The second opaque film is opaque and the first opaque film is clear when the carrier is rearward, so that the display panel is viewable from outside the vehicle through the liftgate opening.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising a sensor, a moveable display, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a location of an occupant within the vehicle and, based on the location of the occupant within the vehicle, move the moveable display.

Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to a visor system of a vehicle. The visor system may include a multifunctional visor having a multilayer stack. A first layer of the multilayer stack may include a material whose optical transmittance is modifiable in response to a control signal provided by a controller, a second layer containing a material whose optical reflectance is modifiable in response to another control signal provided by the controller, and a third layer, which is interposed between the first layer and the second layer and includes a display system that turns optically transparent in response to another control signal provided by the controller. An occupant of the vehicle can make a selection to place the multifunctional visor in any of various states, such as a mirror state, a visor state, or a display state (for displaying images such as a speedometer and/or a GPS route map).

Abstract: Display technologies are provided for configuring the direction of content presentation using a single display assembly. In some embodiments, the display assembly includes a transparent display unit intercalated between a first switchable layer and a second switchable layer. Each one of the first switchable layer and the second switchable layer is formed to reversibly transition between a transparent state and an opaque state in response to an applied electric field. The transparent display unit, the first switchable layer, and the second switchable layer can be operated individually to configure a particular direction of presenting digital content. In other embodiments, the display assembly includes a switchable layer intercalated between a first transparent display unit and a second transparent display unit. The switchable layer, the first transparent display unit, and the second transparent display unit can be operated individually to configure a particular direction of presenting digital content.

Abstract: Exterior facing, multilayer display systems and methods of use are provided herein. An example method includes determining an amount of power for a multilayer display, the multilayer display having a first layer comprising a transparent display unit and a second layer comprising a reflective display unit, the second layer being bonded to the first layer, selecting the transparent display unit when the amount of the power is above a threshold amount, determining that amount of the power is above a threshold amount is below the threshold amount, and selecting the reflective display unit when the power is below the threshold amount.

Abstract: Display technologies are provided for configuring the direction of content presentation using a single display assembly. In some embodiments, the display assembly includes a transparent display unit intercalated between a first switchable layer and a second switchable layer. Each one of the first switchable layer and the second switchable layer is formed to reversibly transition between a transparent state and an opaque state in response to an applied electric field. The transparent display unit, the first switchable layer, and the second switchable layer can be operated individually to configure a particular direction of presenting digital content. In other embodiments, the display assembly includes a switchable layer intercalated between a first transparent display unit and a second transparent display unit. The switchable layer, the first transparent display unit, and the second transparent display unit can be operated individually to configure a particular direction of presenting digital content.

Abstract: An apparatus and method, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a transparent lighting source, a switchable opaque film bonded to the transparent lighting source to provide a vehicle component, and an electrical connection that connects to the transparent lighting source and the switchable opaque film such that the switchable opaque film is electrically controlled to switch between an opaque state and a transparent state. A control unit independently controls the switchable opaque film and the transparent lighting source based on a predetermined application for the vehicle component.

Abstract: Display technologies are provided for configuring the direction of content presentation using a single display assembly. In some embodiments, the display assembly includes a transparent display unit intercalated between a first switchable layer and a second switchable layer. Each one of the first switchable layer and the second switchable layer is formed to reversibly transition between a transparent state and an opaque state in response to an applied electric field. The transparent display unit, the first switchable layer, and the second switchable layer can be operated individually to configure a particular direction of presenting digital content. In other embodiments, the display assembly includes a switchable layer intercalated between a first transparent display unit and a second transparent display unit. The switchable layer, the first transparent display unit, and the second transparent display unit can be operated individually to configure a particular direction of presenting digital content.

Abstract: Display technologies are provided for configuring the direction of content presentation using a single display assembly. In some embodiments, the display assembly includes a transparent display unit intercalated between a first switchable layer and a second switchable layer. Each one of the first switchable layer and the second switchable layer is formed to reversibly transition between a transparent state and an opaque state in response to an applied electric field. The transparent display unit, the first switchable layer, and the second switchable layer can be operated individually to configure a particular direction of presenting digital content. In other embodiments, the display assembly includes a switchable layer intercalated between a first transparent display unit and a second transparent display unit. The switchable layer, the first transparent display unit, and the second transparent display unit can be operated individually to configure a particular direction of presenting digital content.