Abstract: A display panel includes a first polarizer, two twisted nematic cells, a second polarizer, and a display. The first twisted nematic cell transfers light in response to a first control signal. In an off state, a polarity of the light is rotated in a first twist. In an on state, the polarity of the light is maintained. The second twisted nematic cell transfers the light in response to a second control signal. In the off state, a polarity of the light is rotated in a second twist. In the on state, the polarity of the light is maintained. The display generates an image in the light in response to a display signal. While the twisted nematic cells are in the off state, the image is viewable in a public viewing angle. While the twisted nematic cells are in the on state, the image is viewable in a private viewing angle.

Abstract: A floating-information display includes a first quarter-wave retarder disposed on a side of an optical plate. A reflective polarizer is disposed between the first quarter-wave retarder and the optical plate. A first display is configured to transmit a first image along a first axis through the first quarter-wave retarder to the reflective polarizer. The reflective polarizer redirects the first image along a second axis through the first quarter-wave retarder toward a viewer. The first image appears to the viewer to be oriented normal to the second axis and at a first location. A second display is configured to transmit a second image to the optical plate. The second image is transferred through the first quarter-wave retarder along the second axis toward the viewer. The second image appears to the viewer to be oriented normal to the second axis and at a second location.

Abstract: A floating-information display includes a first quarter-wave retarder disposed on a side of an optical plate. A reflective polarizer is disposed between the first quarter-wave retarder and the optical plate. A first display is configured to transmit a first image along a first axis through the first quarter-wave retarder to the reflective polarizer. The reflective polarizer redirects the first image along a second axis through the first quarter-wave retarder toward a viewer. The first image appears to the viewer to be oriented normal to the second axis and at a first location. A second display is configured to transmit a second image to the optical plate. The second image is transferred through the first quarter-wave retarder along the second axis toward the viewer. The second image appears to the viewer to be oriented normal to the second axis and at a second location.

Abstract: A display with local dimming backlight and an active privacy mode. The display may include a backlight source, lenses, a passive diffuser, an active diffuser and a transmissive display. The backlight source may define a two-dimensional matrix of light sources configured to generate an initial light. The lenses may be mounted adjacent to the backlight source, aligned with the light sources, and configured to generate a collimated light. The passive diffuser may be mounted adjacent to the lenses and configured to spatially spread the collimated light. The active diffuser may be mounted adjacent to the passive diffuser, configured to generate an intermediate light in response to the collimated light, and configured to change a diffusive property of the intermediate light in response to a scattering signal. The transmissive display may be mounted adjacent to the active diffuser and configured to generate multiple visible images by modulating the intermediate light.

Abstract: A display with local dimming backlight and an active privacy mode. The display may include a backlight source, lenses, a passive diffuser, an active diffuser and a transmissive display. The backlight source may define a two-dimensional matrix of light sources configured to generate an initial light. The lenses may be mounted adjacent to the backlight source, aligned with the light sources, and configured to generate a collimated light. The passive diffuser may be mounted adjacent to the lenses and configured to spatially spread the collimated light. The active diffuser may be mounted adjacent to the passive diffuser, configured to generate an intermediate light in response to the collimated light, and configured to change a diffusive property of the intermediate light in response to a scattering signal. The transmissive display may be mounted adjacent to the active diffuser and configured to generate multiple visible images by modulating the intermediate light.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a combination indicating instrument, and has as its object to devise a hybrid combination display instrument for displaying information in a motor vehicle in a manner so as to provide a homogeneous and smooth transition between an analog display region and a digital display region within the hybrid combination display instrument. Also included for guiding the light generated by the light source, is a “light guiding device”, which has a first surface facing away from the viewer (viewing individual), and a second surface facing toward the viewer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a backlight panel for a panel display device, comprising a light pipe, at least one source of illumination and a diffuse reflector. The light pipe has a first boundary surface comprising a first substantially planar surface interrupted by a first pattern of discrete surface relief features for extracting light from the light pipe and for directing said extracted light at the diffuse reflector, and a second boundary surface comprising a second substantially planar surface interrupted by a second pattern of laterally elongate surface relief features, each comprising an inclined surface angled towards the light source for directing light internally reflected from the second boundary surface towards the first boundary surface at a correspondingly lower angle of incidence. The areal density of the first pattern varies across the first side and generally increases along the transmission direction.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a combination indicating instrument, and has as its object to devise a hybrid combination display instrument for displaying information in a motor vehicle in a manner so as to provide a homogeneous and smooth transition between an analog display region and a digital display region within the hybrid combination display instrument. Also included for guiding the light generated by the light source, is a “light guiding device”, which has a first surface facing away from the viewer (viewing individual), and a second surface facing toward the viewer.

Abstract: A strip lighting device includes a main body having front and rear sides extending along a length of the main body. The front side is disposed towards a viewer of the device and the rear side includes a light scattering layer for scattering light from a source of illumination towards the viewer when the device is illuminated. The main body has a front and rear cladding layer each of which is made of a first light transmissive material. The strip lighting device includes a light pipe made of a second light transmissive material sandwiched between the front and rear cladding layers at interfaces extending along the length of the main body. A rear interface of the light pipe has a plurality of angled portions which allow some light to escape into the rear cladding layer to impinge on the light scattering layer and scatter light towards the viewer.

Abstract: A strip lighting device includes a main body having front and rear sides extending along a length of the main body. The front side is disposed towards a viewer of the device and the rear side includes a light scattering layer for scattering light from a source of illumination towards the viewer when the device is illuminated. The main body has a front and rear cladding layer each of which is made of a first light transmissive material. The strip lighting device includes a light pipe made of a second light transmissive material sandwiched between the front and rear cladding layers at interfaces extending along the length of the main body. A rear interface of the light pipe has a plurality of angled portions which allow some light to escape into the rear cladding layer to impinge on the light scattering layer and scatter light towards the viewer.

Abstract: A strip lighting device includes a main body having front and rear sides extending along a length of the main body. The front side is disposed towards a viewer of the device and the rear side includes a light scattering layer for scattering light from a source of illumination towards the viewer when the device is illuminated. The main body has a front and rear cladding layer each of which is made of a first light transmissive material. The strip lighting device includes a light pipe made of a second light transmissive material sandwiched between the front and rear cladding layers at interfaces extending along the length of the main body. A rear interface of the light pipe has a plurality of angled portions which allow some light to escape into the rear cladding layer to impinge on the light scattering layer and scatter light towards the viewer.

Abstract: A rotary knob assembly having a lightpipe affixed to a push button within a rotary knob portion that may be rotatably affixed to a vehicle control panel. The lightpipe engages a halo ring surrounding the push button and is disposed between the push button and the rotary knob portion. The lightpipe has a plurality of concentric circles recessively disposed thereon to provide illumination to the knob assembly specifically, to the halo ring and a graphic display of the push button. The rotary knob assembly has a first light emitting diode in communication with the control panel to provide light to the lightpipe. Light is transmitted and refracted through the lightpipe illuminating the halo ring surrounding the push button as well as distributes light to the recessed portion or gaps between the plurality of concentric circles which allow light to flow directly to the graphic display of the push button.

Abstract: A rotary knob assembly having a lightpipe affixed to a push button within a rotary knob portion that may be rotatably affixed to a vehicle control panel. The lightpipe engages a halo ring surrounding the push button and is disposed between the push button and the rotary knob portion. The lightpipe has a plurality of concentric circles recessively disposed thereon to provide illumination to the knob assembly specifically, to the halo ring and a graphic display of the push button. The rotary knob assembly has a first light emitting diode in communication with the control panel to provide light to the lightpipe. Light is transmitted and refracted through the lightpipe illuminating the halo ring surrounding the push button as well as distributes light to the recessed portion or gaps between the plurality of concentric circles which allow light to flow directly to the graphic display of the push button.

Abstract: A strip lighting device includes a main body having front and rear sides extending along a length of the main body. The front side is disposed towards a viewer of the device and the rear side includes a light scattering layer for scattering light from a source of illumination towards the viewer when the device is illuminated. The main body has a front and rear cladding layer each of which is made of a first light transmissive material. The strip lighting device includes a light pipe made of a second light transmissive material sandwiched between the front and rear cladding layers at interfaces extending along the length of the main body. A rear interface of the light pipe has a plurality of angled portions which allow some light to escape into the rear cladding layer to impinge on the light scattering layer and scatter light towards the viewer.