Systems and methods for tintable car windows having display capabilities
OwnerVictor Ramirezinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A window system for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The window system may include a first layer electrically controlled to fade between states including an opaque state and a transparent state. The window system may include a second layer electrically controlled to display visual imagery on the window, where the first layer and second layer are configured to derive at least a portion of energy for their operation from a solar light source.
Claims24
A window system for use in a vehicle, comprising:
- a first layer electrically controlled to fade between states comprising an opaque state and a transparent state;
- a second layer coupled to the first layer, the second layer electrically controlled to display visual imagery on the window, wherein the second electrically controlled layer is coupled to an inside surface of the first layer;
- and
- a window control processing unit configured to control the state of the first layer to at least partially block ambient light from an exterior of the vehicle based on brightness of the visual imagery of the second layer,
- wherein the first layer and second layer are configured to derive at least a portion of energy for their operation from a solar light source.
A method for controlling a tint-able window system of a vehicle, the method comprising:
- controlling a light transmission state of a first layer of the window system;
- controlling visual imagery output of a second layer of the window system, wherein the second layer is coupled to an inside surface of the first layer;
- controlling, at a window control processing unit, the light transmission state of the first layer to at least partially block ambient light from an exterior of the vehicle based on brightness of the visual imagery output of the second layer;
- and
- receiving at least a portion of power from a solar energy source for controlling the first layer and the second layer.
A vehicle system having an electrically controlled tint-able window, the vehicle system comprising:
- the electrically controlled tint-able window, the window comprising a first layer electrically controlled to tint between opaque states and a second layer electrically controlled to display visual imagery, wherein the second layer is coupled to an inside surface of the first layer,
- a window control processing unit configured to control the state of the first layer to at least partially block ambient light from an exterior of the vehicle system based on brightness of the visual imagery of the second layer;
- and
- a solar energy collector coupled to the window for providing at least a portion of energy for operation of the window.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.