# US 2018/0024409 A1 · Reflective display apparatus

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- Number: US 2018/0024409 A1
- Document ID: US20180024409A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/591,391
- Filed: 2017-05-10
- Published: 2018-01-25
- Earliest claimed: 2016-07-25
- Assignees: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
- Applicants: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
- Inventors: Takashi Yasumoto
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180024409A1

## CPC

- G02F 1/163: Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
- B60K 35/22: Display screens
- B60K 35/80: Arrangements for controlling instruments
- B60R 1/04: mounted inside vehicle {(B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence)}
- B60R 1/088: {using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors}
- B60R 1/12: Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
- B60R 1/26: to the rear of the vehicle
- G02B 27/0101: {characterised by optical features (G02B27/0172 takes precedence)}
- G02F 1/1506: caused by electrodeposition, e.g. electrolytic deposition of an inorganic material on or close to an electrode
- G02F 1/157: Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
- G06V 20/56: exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
- B60K 35/81: for controlling displays
- B60K 2360/21: using cameras
- B60K 2360/331: Electroluminescent elements
- B60R 2001/1253: {with cameras, video cameras or video screens}
- B60R 2300/20: characterised by the type of display used
- B60R 2300/8066: for monitoring rearward traffic
- G02B 2027/0138: {comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera}
- G02B 2027/0141: {characterised by the informative content of the display}
- G02B 2027/0194: {with combiner of laminated type, for optical or mechanical aspects}
- G02F 1/13312: {Circuits comprising photodetectors for purposes other than feedback}
- G02F 1/13318: {Circuits comprising a photodetector}
- G02F 2201/44: Arrangements combining different electro-active layers, e.g. electrochromic, liquid crystal or electroluminescent layers
- G02F 2201/58: Arrangements comprising a monitoring photodetector
- G02F 2203/02: reflective
- G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING

## Abstract

A reflective display apparatus includes an image display panel including a liquid crystal panel and a backlight unit, a half mirror, and an electrochromic panel arranged in a layered manner. When the image display panel stops operating and power supply to the electrochromic panel is stopped, the half mirror reflects light coming from the rear of a vehicle and the reflected light is directed rearward. The reflected light enables a driver to check a situation behind the vehicle under such conditions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A reflective display apparatus comprising:
an image display panel;
an electrochromic panel disposed adjacent to a display side of the image display panel; and
a half mirror disposed between the image display panel and the electrochromic panel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the electrochromic panel includes
two opposed transparent substrates,
a transparent electrode disposed on an inner surface of each of the transparent substrates, and
an electrolyte layer interposed between the opposed transparent electrodes, the electrolyte layer containing a metal ion, and
wherein the metal ion is deposited on one of the transparent electrodes in response to application of voltage across the transparent electrodes, so that the electrochromic panel becomes a reflective panel.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the half mirror has a reflectance of 10% to 40%.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a camera that captures an image of an area behind a vehicle,
wherein the image display panel is capable of displaying the captured image of the area behind the vehicle.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a controller that controls the image display panel and the electrochromic panel; and
a photodetector that senses external light,
wherein when the photodetector senses a light intensity below a predetermined value, the controller performs first control to drive the image display panel without applying voltage across the electrodes of the electrochromic panel, and
wherein when the photodetector senses a light intensity at or above the predetermined value, the controller performs second control to apply the voltage across the electrodes of the electrochromic panel without driving the image display panel.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when application of the voltage across the electrodes of the electrochromic panel is stopped during the second control, the controller continues a state in which the image display panel is not driven.