Transparent display backlight assembly

A transparent display, comprising:

• a display panel including a color filter system and configured for a percentage of transparency that permits an environment behind the display panel to be viewed through the display panel;
• a light source configured to generate light;
• a backlight panel operable as a transparent panel and configured to direct the light from the light source to illuminate the display panel, the backlight panel including light refraction features spaced for a percentage of transparency that permits an environment behind the backlight assembly to be viewed through the backlight assembly and configured to refract and scatter the light to illuminate the display panel;
• and
• a multi-mode panel comprising an active reflector including a dual-state mirror having a transparent state for transparency and a reflective state to reflect and recycle light and configured to prevent a section of the environment from being viewed through the display panel.

A method, comprising:

• allowing an environment to be viewed through a display panel of a display device;
• generating light with a light source;
• refracting the light with light refraction features spaced for a percentage of transparency that permits an environment behind the display device to be viewed through the display device;
• illuminating the display panel with the refracted light;
• and
• preventing a section of the environment from being viewed through the display panel with a multi-mode panel of the display device comprising an active shutter that provides variable light transmissivity based at least in part on an applied voltage.