WO2024151393A1

WO2024151393A1 - External displays

Info

Publication number: WO2024151393A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/084406
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tao ZHAN; Clarisse MAZUIR; Xiaofeng Tang; Rong Liu
Original assignee: Apple Inc.
Priority date: 2023-01-13
Filing date: 2023-12-15
Publication date: 2024-07-18

Abstract

A display may include an array of pixels formed from light-emitting diodes or other display technology. A transparent cover may overlap the display. The transparent cover may have an outer surface and an opposing inner surface, which may have areas of compound curvature or may be planar. To reduce ambient light reflections while allowing light from the display panel to be emitted, an absorber layer may be interposed between the transparent cover and the array of pixels. The absorber layer may have openings through which light from the array of pixels may pass, and a reflector layer may be provided between the absorber layer and the array of pixels to recycle light from the pixels that does not pass through the openings. The array of pixels may be formed on a reflective substrate to increase the amount of light that reflects back toward and through the openings.

Description

Systems With External Displays

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/479,960, filed January 13, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Field

[0001] This relates generally to displays, and, more particularly, to suppressing ambient light reflections for displays.

Background

[0002] Displays are sometimes used in bright ambient lighting conditions. Such displays may be exposed to sunlight and other bright light sources that can create undesired reflections.

Summary

[0003] A display may have a display panel with an array of pixels formed from lightemitting diodes, organic light-emitting diodes, or other display technology. Optical films that help collimate and homogenize light from the light-emitting diode pixels may overlap the light-emitting diodes.

[0004] A transparent cover may overlap the display. The cover may have surfaces of compound curvature or may be planar. For example, the transparent cover may form a surface of a vehicle body, building, or other desired system. To reduce ambient light reflections, such as off-axis solar reflections, while allowing light from the display panel to be emitted, absorber material may be interposed between the transparent cover and the array of pixels. The absorber material may have openings through which light from the array of pixels may pass. A reflector layer may be provided between the absorber layer and the array of pixels to recycle light from the pixels that does not pass through the openings. The array of pixels may be formed on a reflective substrate to increase the amount of light that reflects back toward and through the openings.

[0005] Microlenses and/or light pipes may be included between the reflector layer and the array of pixels to help guide display light through the openings. If desired, a stack of polarizers may be included in the display instead of, or in addition to, the absorber layer to attenuate ambient light. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] FIG. 1 is a side view of an illustrative display having a display panel and an absorber layer that forms an ambient light rejection filter in accordance with some embodiments.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a top view of a display having an absorber layer with an array of openings that absorbs ambient light while allowing display light to pass in accordance with some embodiments.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a side view of an illustrative display having a display panel and an absorber layer that forms an ambient light rejection filter, and a microlens array that guides display light through the ambient light rejection filter in accordance with some embodiments. [0009] FIG. 4 is a side view of an illustrative display having a display and an absorber layer that forms an ambient light rejection filter, and a light pipe array that guides display light through the ambient light rejection filter in accordance with some embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a side view of an illustrative display having a display panel and an absorber layer that forms an ambient light rejection filter, and a microlens array that guides display light through the ambient light rejection filter in accordance with some embodiments. [0011] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional top view of an illustrative system in accordance with some embodiments.

Detailed Description

[0012] Displays may have pixels for displaying images. The pixels may include structures that can reflect ambient light. When used in bright ambient lighting conditions such as conditions where direct sunlight is present, there is a risk that unwanted light reflections will reduce display contrast. To avoid such reductions in display contrast, a display may be provided with an absorber layer that may serve as a solar rejection filter (or, more broadly, an ambient light rejection filter) that helps reduce ambient light reflections, such as sunlight reflections, from the display. The absorber layer may have an array of openings that allow display light to pass. In this way, ambient light may be absorbed, while display light is emitted, improving contrast of the display.

[0013] In addition to increasing contrast, it may be desirable to increase the efficiency of these displays. In other words, it may be desirable to improve the amount of light outputted from the display. To emit more light, a layer of reflective material may be incorporated between the pixels and the absorber material, and the pixels may be formed on a printed circuit board (PCB) with high reflectivity. As a result, light emitted by the display may pass through the openings in the absorber material or may be reflected from the reflective material, reflected by the reflective PCB, and then exit the display. By reflecting light that does not pass through the absorber layer on the first pass, the efficiency of the display may be increased.

[0014] An illustrative display is shown in FIG. 1. Display 28 of FIG. 1 may have a display panel 14P (sometimes referred to as a light plate assembly, pixel array, or display). Panel 14P may include pixel array 14A, which is formed from an array of pixels P. Each pixel P may contain a respective light source such as a light-emitting diode on a printed circuit board (PCB) or other substrate 54. There may be any suitable number of pixels P in panel 14P (e.g., at least 100, at least 1000, at least 10,000, at least 100,000, at least 1 million, etc.). Pixels P may have any suitable size. In an illustrative configuration, the lateral dimensions of pixels P may be on the order of fractions of a millimeter to multiple millimeters. The lightemitting diodes of panel 14P may be configured to emit white light and/or may be configured to emit non-white light (e.g., light of one or more colors, such as red, green, blue, yellow, orange, etc.). The use of white light, which may sometimes be described herein as an example, may help make content displayed by display 28 visible and may help avoid confusion with colored light from other light sources. Although not shown in FIG. 1, panel 14P may also include light conditioning optics that overlap pixels P to help collimate and homogenize light emitted by pixels P, if desired. Diffuser 62 may be included in panel 14P to ensure that light emitted by pixels P appears uniform when emitted from display 28. In other words, diffuser 62 may diffuse the light from each individual pixel P to create a single image from the light emitted by pixels P. Diffuser 62 may be, for example, an asymmetric diffuser that reflects sunlight and other ambient light asymmetrically, or may be any other desired diffuser. This may help to suppress solar and ambient light reflections due to light that could obscure the viewing of display light from panel 14P that is emitted for viewing by a viewer.

[0015] Although pixels P have been described as being light-emitting diode pixels, this is merely illustrative. Pixels P may be organic light-emitting diode (OLED) pixels, liquid crystal display (LCD) pixels, or pixels of any other display technology.

[0016] Panel 14P may be overlapped by cover layer 73. Cover layer 73 may be formed from a transparent material such as glass, sapphire, ceramic, or polymer, as examples. In some examples, if display 28 is incorporated into a larger system, such as a vehicle or building, cover layer 73 may form an exterior surface of the vehicle, building, or other system.

[0017] Absorber layer 69 (also referred to as absorber material 69, opaque material 69, and opaque layer 69 herein) may be formed between layer 73 and pixels P. Absorber layer 69 may extend entirely across pixels P, as an example. Openings 74 may be formed in an array across absorber layer 69 to allow light from pixels P to pass.

[0018] Absorber layer 69 may be formed from black polymer; a polymer, metal, or other material coated with an absorptive coating, such as a black pigment or dye; or other absorptive material. Absorber layer 69 may absorb at least 95%, at least 99%, or other suitable percentage of light. For example, absorber layer 69 may absorb at least 95% of visible light. In this way, absorber layer 69 may form a solar rejection film (or an ambient light rejection film) that absorbs ambient light, increases contrast of the underlying display, and reduces heat from solar radiation on the display.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1 , openings 74 in absorber layer 69 may be small to prevent undesired light reflections of external light 30. To help ensure that light emitted from the display is able to pass through openings 74, reflector layer 71 (also referred to as reflective material herein) may be provided between absorber layer 69 and pixels P. Reflector layer 71 may be a white pigment, white dye, other white coating, a mirror coating, a diffusive coating, or any other desired reflective material. Reflector layer 71 may reflect at least 60% of light, at least 75% of light, at least 90% of light, or another suitable percentage of light. In some examples, reflector layer 71 may have a visible-light reflection of at least 60% or at least 90%.

[0020] Reflector layer 71 may have an array of openings that are aligned with the openings in absorber layer 69 (e.g., the openings in the reflective layer and the absorber material may overlap and form openings 74). Openings 74 may be, for example, pinhole openings with diameters (or maximum width/height) of less than 100 microns, less than 200 microns, less than 150 microns, or other suitable diameters. By forming openings 74 as pinhole openings, most ambient light may be absorbed by absorber layer 69, while sufficient display light (e.g., light emitted by pixels P) may be emitted from display 28.

[0021] Reflector layer 71 may be formed directly on absorber layer 69 as shown in FIG. 1, or reflector layer 71 may be spaced apart from absorber layer 69 (e.g., by an air gap, vacuum, a transparent layer, an adhesive layer, or other desired layer). In some embodiments, it may be desirable to form reflector layer 71 directly on, or within 1 mm, 2 mm, or 5 mm, of absorber layer 69 to ensure that display light may pass through openings 74 without being absorbed by absorber layer 69.

[0022] In addition to including reflector layer 71, substrate 54 may be formed from reflective material. Substrate 54 may be, for example, a printed circuit board or other substrate on which pixels P are mounted. Substrate 54 may be formed from a material that is at least 90%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 96%, or at least 70% reflective across visible wavelengths. For example, substrate 54 may be a white substrate, a white printed circuit board, or may be a substrate or PCB with a reflective coating, such as a mirror coating, white coating, or other desired coating. As used herein, “white printed circuit board” may refer to a printed circuit board that is formed from white material, or may refer to a printed circuit board that is coated with white material. In some embodiments, substrate 54 may be formed from titanium dioxide or barium sulfate. By forming substrate 54 from reflective material, display light that is emitted by pixels P and reflected by reflector layer 74 may be reflected again by substrate 54 toward openings 74. As a result, more display light may exit through openings 74, making display 28 more efficient.

[0023] In operation, ambient light 30, which may be sunlight, light from other ambient light sources, or other environmental light, may be absorbed by absorber layer 69. Although some ambient light, such as ambient light 31, may pass through pinhole openings 74, light 31 will be reflected diffusely by substrate 54 as diffuse light 33. Most diffuse light 33 will not exit display 28. In this way, ambient light reflections on display 28 may be minimized, thereby increasing the contrast of display 28 (e.g., more display light from pixels P than ambient light reflections will be seen by a viewer of display 28).

[0024] With respect to light emitted by pixels P, some display light, such as display light 35, will pass through openings 74 to the exterior (front face) of display 28. However, some display light, such as display light 39, may not pass through openings 74 and may be reflected by reflector layer 71. Because substrate 54 is reflective, however, display light 39 may be reflected off of substrate 54 and may then exit through openings 74 as light 71. Although FIG. 1 only shows light 39 reflecting off of reflector layer 71 and substrate 54 a single time, this is merely illustrative. In general, light 39 may continue to reflect between reflector layer 71 and substrate 54 until some of light 39 passes through openings 74 (or is extinguished). By including reflector layer 71 and reflective substrate 54 in display 28, the overall amount of display light that exits the display 28 through openings 74 may be increased.

[0025] Although not shown in FIG. 1, reflector layer 71 and/or absorber layer 69 may optionally be formed in, or be covered by, a transparent planarization layer. Such a planarization layer may allow panel 14P to be mounted to cover 73 without air gaps (e.g., by using a layer of adhesive, heat and/or pressure, and/or other attachment mechanisms). The elimination of excessive air gaps may help enhance the outward appearance of display 28 (e.g., by ensuring that pixel array 14A does not visually appear to be located too far behind cover 73).

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, panel 14P may include light conditioning optics between pixels P and diffuser 62 (or between diffuser 62 and reflector layer 71). For example, reflectors, lenses (e.g., microlenses), and/or other optical elements that help reduce divergence in the emitted light from the light-emitting diodes of pixels P.

[0027] Although diffuser 62 is shown as a planar layer in FIG. 1 , this is merely illustrative. In general, diffuser 62 may be formed in any desired manner to diffuse light emitted by pixels P. If desired, layer 62 may include light-diffusing structures that serve as a diffuser. For example, layer 62 may include light-scattering particles (e.g., particles of titanium oxide, silicon oxide, and/or other inorganic dielectric particles with an index of refraction that differs from that of layer 62) and/or other light-diffusing structures (e.g., surface texture such as a roughened texture, embossed ridges, and/or other surface structures that scatter light, an array of dots of white paint or other light-scattering material, etc.).

[0028] When display 28 is mounted on the exterior of a building or vehicle it may be desirable for display 28 to have a three-dimensional (non-planar) shape. For example, the exterior and, if desired, interior surfaces of cover 73 and/or the surfaces of one or more of the layers in display panel 14P may have areas of compound curvature (e.g., non-developable surfaces characterized by curved cross-sectional profiles). Arrangements in which cover 73 and/or panel 14P have planar surface areas and/or developable surface areas (e.g., surfaces with zero Gaussian curvature that can be flattened without distortion) may also be used.

[0029] Although FIG. 1 shows cover layer 73 covering an exterior of display 28, this is merely illustrative. Cover layer 73 may be omitted, if desired, and absorber layer 69 may form an exterior surface of display 28.

[0030] An illustrative top view of a portion of display 28 is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, absorber layer 69 may include an array of openings 74. For example, openings 74 may have a density of at least 5 openings per 1 mm², at least 10 openings per 1 mm², less than 15 openings per 1 mm², or other suitable density across the layer of absorber material 69. Openings 74 may account for less than or equal to 20%, 10%, or other suitable percentage of the horizontal area of absorber layer 69. In other words, openings 74 may be pinhole openings in absorber material 69. In this way, openings 74 may allow light from pixels P (FIG. 1) to pass through, while absorbing extemal/ambient light incident on the display.

[0031] Although FIG. 2 shows openings 74 formed in a rectangular array of evenly-spaced rows and columns, this arrangement is merely illustrative. In general, openings 74 may be arranged in any desired manner, such as in an array with irregular spacing, or with offset rows and columns. Moreover, although openings 74 are shown as square openings, openings 74 may have any desired shapes. For example, openings 74 may be rectangular, circular, hexagonal, or have any other suitable shapes.

[0032] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to include additional layers between pixels P and reflector layer 71 to help guide light from pixels P through openings 74. Illustrative embodiments that include layers that help guide display light to openings 74 are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, display 28 may include microlens array 76 between reflector layer 71 and pixels P. Microlens array 76 may increase the amount of light emitted by pixels P that passes through openings 74 by redirecting light that would otherwise miss openings 74 and be reflected by reflector layer 71. Each microlens of microlens array 76 may overlap a respective one of openings 74, every opening 74 may be overlapped by a single microlens 76, or only some openings 74 may be overlapped by a microlens 76. In general, microlens array 76 may be arranged in any desired manner relative to openings 74.

[0034] In operation, display light, such as light 41 may be emitted by pixels P. In the absence of microlenses 76, at least some of light 41 may miss openings 74 and be reflected by reflector layer 71. However, microlenses 76 may redirect this stray light through openings 74 as light 43. In this way, microlens array 76 may increase the amount of light that passes through openings 74 rather than being reflected by reflector layer 71. [0035] Microlens array 76 may be formed from any desired microlens material, such as silicon, polymer, glass, or other desired material. Although microlenses 76 are shown as having semispherical shapes in FIG. 3, this is merely illustrative. In general, microlenses 76 may have any suitable shapes to redirect light emitted by pixels P through openings 74.

[0036] Although FIG. 3 shows microlens array 76 interposed between pixels P and diffuser 62, this is merely illustrative. In general, microlens array 76 may be in any desired location between pixels P and openings 74 to guide light emitted by pixels P through openings 74. [0037] As another example, as shown in FIG. 4, display 28 may include light pipe array 81 between reflector layer 71 and pixels P. The array of light pipes 81 may increase the amount of light emitted by pixels P that passes through openings 74 by redirecting light that would otherwise miss openings 74 and be reflected by reflector layer 71. Light pipe array 81 may be formed from material 78 and material 80. For example, material 78 may have a low index of refraction (e.g., an index of refraction less than 1.5), while material 80 may have a high index of refraction (e.g., an index of refraction greater than 1.5). Material 78 may surround or otherwise be adjacent to material 80. In this way, light emitted by pixels P may be guided through material 80 toward openings 74. Although not shown in FIG. 4, coatings may be provided in each light pipe between material 78 and material 80 to improve the redirection of light through openings 74.

[0038] Each light pipe of array 81 may overlap a respective one of openings 74, every opening 74 may be overlapped by a single light pipe, or only some openings 74 may be overlapped by a light pipe. In general, the array of light pipes may be arranged in any desired manner relative to openings 74.

[0039] In operation, display light, such as light 51 may be emitted by pixels P. In the absence of light pipes 81, at least some of the light emitted by pixels P, such as light 51, may miss openings 74 and be reflected by reflector layer 71. However, light pipes 81 may redirect light 51 through openings 74 as light 53. In this way, light pipe array 81 may increase the amount of light that passes through openings 74 rather than being reflected by reflector layer 71.

[0040] Although light pipes 81 are shown as having trapezoidal shapes in FIG. 3, this is merely illustrative. In general, light pipes 81 may have any suitable shapes to guide light emitted by pixels P through openings 74.

[0041] Although FIG. 4 shows light pipe array 81 interposed between diffuser 62 and reflector layer 71, this is merely illustrative. In general, light pipe array may be in any desired location between pixels P and openings 74 to guide light emitted by pixels P through openings 74.

[0042] In some embodiments, absorber layer 69 may be replaced by one or more other layers that attenuate ambient light. An illustrative example of a display that includes a dualbrightness enhancement film and polarizers to absorb ambient light while passing display light is shown in FIG. 5.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, display 28 may include pixel array 14A that includes pixels P mounted on reflective substrate 54. As in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4, pixels P may be overlapped by diffuser 62, reflector layer 71 having openings 74, and cover layer 73. Light emitted by pixels P may pass through openings 74 or be reflected by reflector layer 71. Light that is reflected by reflector layer 71 may be reflected again by reflective substrate 54 and then pass through openings 74.

[0044] Instead of, or in addition to, including an absorber layer to absorb ambient light, dual-brightness enhancement film (DBEF) 82, quarter wave plate 84, and circular polarizer 86 may be included in display 28 to absorb ambient light and improve display contrast. In particular, the layers may attenuate ambient light on each pass through the layers.

[0045] Circular polarizer 86 may circularly polarize incident light, quarter wave plate 84 may convert circularly polarized light to linearly polarized light (and vice versa), and dualbrightness enhancement film 82 may pass light with a desired linear polarization, while reflecting light of the opposite linear polarization. Dual-brightness enhancement film 82 may recycle some light that is emitted by pixels P to enhance the brightness of the display.

[0046] In operation, ambient light 55 may pass through circular polarizer 86, thereby attenuating the ambient light and circularly polarizing the light. In other words, the presence of circular polarizer 86 may reduce the amount of ambient light that gets reflected from the display.

[0047] After passing through diffuser 62 and/or being reflected by substrate 54, light 57 may be unpolarized (e.g., may have the same characteristics as light emitted by pixels P). As a result, some of light 57 may pass through openings 74 to the exterior. Other light, such as light 59, may be reflected by dual-brightness enhancement film 82 off of substrate 54 and then exit the display as light 61.

[0048] Although some of ambient light 55 that entered exits as light 61 , the light will be attenuated due to passing through circular polarizer 86. There may be additional attenuation of light 55 when reflected within the display layers (e.g., twice by reflective substrate 54 and once by DBEF 82, as shown in FIG. 5) by layers with less than 100% reflectivity. In this way, the amount of ambient light incident on display 28 that is reflected to a viewer of the display may be reduced, thereby increasing the contrast of the display.

[0049] Other ambient light, such as ambient light 63, may be reflected by reflector 71 (e.g., rather than passing through openings 74). As shown in FIG. 5, ambient light 63 may pass through cover 73 and then through circular polarizer 86, which will result in circularly polarized light. The circularly polarized light may then reflect off of reflector layer 71, thereby being circularly polarized with the opposite handedness as light 65. Due to the opposite-handedness polarization, light 65 may be absorbed by circular polarizer 86. In this way, the presence of circular polarizer 86 may reduce ambient light reflections from interfering with light emitted by pixels P.

[0050] If desired, DBEF 82 and quarter wave plate 84 may be omitted. Although this would reduce the brightness of the display by approximately 50%, the reduced brightness may be suitable in some embodiments.

[0051] Although FIG. 5 shows ambient light that enters display 28 as being reflected within display 28 three times, this is merely illustrative. If desired, additional layers or different layers may be incorporated in display 28 to reflect ambient light additional times within display 28. Such an arrangement may increase the attenuation of the ambient light and further reduce ambient light reflections.

[0052] In some embodiments, display 28 may be incorporated into a system, such as a vehicle or a building. An illustrative embodiment in which display 28 may be incorporated into a vehicle is shown in FIG. 6.

[0053] In the example of FIG. 6, vehicle 10 is the type of vehicle that may carry passengers (e.g., an automobile, truck, or other automotive vehicle).

[0054] Vehicle 10 may be manually driven (e.g., by a human driver), may be operated via remote control, and/or may be autonomously operated (e.g., by an autonomous vehicle driving system implemented using the control circuitry, sensors, and other components of vehicle 10). If desired, a vehicle driving system (e.g., a computer-assisted driving system that is also optionally used to support fully autonomous driving) may be used to provide vehicle driving assistance functions while vehicle 10 is being driven under manual control. [0055] Vehicle 10 may include a body such as body 18. Body 18 may include vehicle structures such as body panels formed from metal and/or other materials, may include doors, a hood, a trunk, fenders, a chassis to which wheels are mounted, a roof, etc. Windows 16 may be formed in doors on the sides S of vehicle body 18, or in other desired portions of vehicle 10, such as on a roof of vehicle 10. Windshield 12 may be formed at front F, and backlite 13 (also referred to as rear window 13 herein) may be formed at rear R of vehicle 10, if desired. Windows 16, windshield 12, rear window 13, doors in body 18, and other portions of body 18 may separate interior region 11 of vehicle 10 from the exterior environment that is surrounding vehicle 10 (exterior region 13).

[0056] Vehicle 10 may have seating such as seats 24 in interior region 11. Seats 24 may include bucket seats, bench seats, and/or other seats on which vehicle occupants may sit. These seats may include forward-facing seats and/or rear-facing seats. In the example of FIG. 6, seats 24 include a pair of face-to-face seats 24 in which first and second seats 24 face each other. However, this is merely illustrative. In general, seats 24 may face any desired directions.

[0057] Vehicle 10 may be provided with one or more input-output components. These components may include displays, speakers, interior and exterior lights, actuators for adjusting the position and motion of structures in vehicle 10, and input devices that gather user input. The input devices may include proximity sensors, touch sensors, force sensors, buttons, etc. Sensors may also be used in vehicle 10 to make measurements on environmental conditions (e.g., ambient light levels, temperatures, etc.). In some configurations, the input-output components may contain wireless circuitry. The wireless circuitry may include ultrawideband (UWB) circuitry, near-field communications circuitry, Bluetooth® circuitry, wireless local area network circuitry, and/or other wireless circuitry. The wireless circuitry may be used to detect nearby devices (e.g., wireless key fobs, portable electronic devices such as wristwatches and cellular telephones emitting UWB signals and/or other short-range wireless signals, etc.). As an example, wireless circuitry may be used to detect the presence of a nearby electronic device and vehicle 10 may, in response, use an actuator to unlock a door in vehicle 10.

[0058] During operation, user input may be used to operate vehicle 10. The input-output components of vehicle 10 may include buttons, sensors, steering components (e.g., a steering wheel and steering system), pedals (e.g., an accelerator and brake pedal), and/or other components that serve as controllers for gathering user input to adjust vehicle operations. These input devices may be used for receiving user steering commands, for receiving user navigation commands for an autonomous driving system, for receiving user input to adjust lighting, media playback, heating and air-conditioning, for receiving input to open and close doors (and windows), for receiving input to lock and unlock doors (and windows), for receiving input to otherwise control doors and/or windows, for receiving input to control other vehicle operations, and for receiving other user input. In an illustrative configuration, vehicle 10 includes sensor circuitry (e.g., a touch sensor, force sensor, proximity sensor, and/or other sensor(s)) to receive commands from users (e.g., vehicle occupants, users approaching vehicle 10 from the outside, etc.). The sensor circuitry may, as an example, include sensors that allow a user to supply user input that directs one or more electrically adjustable actuators to move a door from a stowed to a deployed position, to open and/or close the door, to lock/unlock the door, to open and/or close a window, etc.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 6, vehicle 10 may include components 26. Components 26 may include control circuitry and input-output devices. Control circuitry and/or input-output devices in components 26 may be configured to operate vehicle systems such as the steering and propulsion system based on user input, to operate vehicle systems such as the steering and propulsion system autonomously in connection with running an autonomous driving application, to run a navigation application (e.g., an application for displaying maps on a display), to run software for controlling vehicle climate control devices, lighting, media playback, window movement, door operations, seating position devices, and/or to support the operation of other vehicle functions. The control circuitry and/or input-output devices (sensor circuitry, other input-output components, etc.) may include processing circuitry and storage and may be configured to perform operations in vehicle 10 using hardware (e.g., dedicated hardware or circuitry), firmware and/or software. Software code for performing operations in vehicle 10 and other data is stored on non-transitory computer readable storage media (e.g., tangible computer readable storage media) in the control circuitry. Remote storage and other remote-control circuitry (e.g., circuitry on remote servers, etc.) may also be used in storing the software code. The software code may sometimes be referred to as software, data, program instructions, computer instructions, instructions, or code. The non- transitory computer readable storage media may include non-volatile memory such as nonvolatile random-access memory, one or more hard drives (e.g., magnetic drives or solid-state drives), one or more removable flash drives or other removable media, or other storage. Software stored on the non-transitory computer readable storage media may be executed on the processing circuitry of components 26 and/or the processing circuitry of remote hardware such as processors associated with one or more remote servers that communicate with components 26 over wired and/or wireless communications links. The processing circuitry may include application-specific integrated circuits with processing circuitry, one or more microprocessors, a central processing unit (CPU) or other processing circuitry.

[0060] The input-output components (input-output devices) of components 26 may include displays, sensors, buttons (e.g., sensors based on movable button members that press against switches), light-emitting diodes and other light-emitting devices for providing interior and/or exterior lighting, haptic devices, speakers, door locks, actuators for moving portions of doors, windows, and/or other components, and/or other devices such as input devices for gathering environmental measurements, information on vehicle operations, and/or user input. The sensors in components 26 may include ambient light sensors, touch sensors, force sensors, proximity sensors (e.g., optical proximity sensors and/or capacitive proximity sensors based on self-capacitance sensors and/or mutual capacitance sensor circuitry), optical sensors such as cameras operating at visible, infrared, and/or ultraviolet wavelengths (e.g., fisheye cameras and/or other cameras), capacitive sensors, resistive sensors, ultrasonic sensors (e.g., ultrasonic distance sensors), microphones, three-dimensional and/or two-dimensional images sensors, radio-frequency sensors such as radar sensors, lidar (light detection and ranging) sensors, door open/close sensors, seat pressure sensors and other vehicle occupant sensors, window sensors, position sensors for monitoring location, orientation, and movement, speedometers, satellite positioning system sensors, and/or other sensors. Output devices in components 26 may be used to provide vehicle occupants and others with haptic output (e.g., force feedback, vibrations, etc.), audio output, visual output (e.g., displayed content, light, etc.), and/or other suitable output. Components 26 may be mounted in interior region 11 and/or an exterior region outside of body 18 and/or may, if desired, be attached to and/or mounted to other portions of body 18.

[0061] Display 28 may be coupled to, mounted on or in, or otherwise included in or on vehicle 10. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, displays 28 may be formed at multiple locations on body 18 at the exterior of the vehicle. If desired, displays 28 may display information, text, symbols, or other images that signal to people outside of vehicle 10 the intent of vehicle 10. For example, if vehicle 10 is an autonomous vehicle, components 26, such as control circuitry, may drive displays 28 with information regarding the upcoming movements of vehicle 10. These upcoming movements may include the direction in which vehicle 10 will move, whether vehicle 10 is moving, whether vehicle 10 is stopping or accelerating, whether vehicle 10 is reversing, whether the doors in vehicle 10 are locked or unlocked, or may otherwise communicate information regarding the status of vehicle 10 to those outside of vehicle 10. In other words, displays 28 may be an intent display on an exterior portion of vehicle 10. Because of the absorber layer or other layers that attenuate ambient light, displays 28 may be visible to people at the exterior of vehicle 10 even in bright environments.

[0062] Although display 28 has been described as being formed on the exterior of vehicle 10, display 28 may be formed in an interior portion, if desired. Moreover, although displays 28 are shown as being located at the comers of body 18 and the middle portion of the sides of body 18, this is merely illustrative. In general, vehicle 10 may include any number of displays 28 (e.g., one or more displays 28), which may be mounted anywhere in or on vehicle 10.

[0063] In accordance with an embodiment, a display is provided that includes a reflective substrate, an array of pixels on the reflective substrate, a transparent cover layer that overlaps the array of pixels and a reflector layer interposed between the transparent cover layer and the array of pixels, the reflector layer includes an array of openings.

[0064] In accordance with another embodiment, the reflective substrate is a white printed circuit board.

[0065] In accordance with another embodiment, the array of openings is a first array of openings, the display further includes an absorber layer interposed between the reflector layer and the transparent cover layer, the absorber layer has a second array of openings.

[0066] In accordance with another embodiment, the second array of openings in the reflector layer includes an array of pinhole openings that is aligned with the first array of openings.

[0067] In accordance with another embodiment, each of the pinhole openings has a diameter of less than 100 microns.

[0068] In accordance with another embodiment, reflector layer is formed on the absorber layer.

[0069] In accordance with another embodiment, the display includes a diffuser interposed between the reflector layer and the array of pixels.

[0070] In accordance with another embodiment, the display includes a microlens array interposed between the diffuser and the array of pixels.

[0071] In accordance with another embodiment, the display includes an array of light pipes interposed between the diffuser and the reflector layer.

[0072] In accordance with another embodiment, the array of light pipes is formed from first regions with high indexes of refraction and second regions with low indexes of refraction that surround the first regions.

[0073] In accordance with another embodiment, the display includes a circular polarizer interposed between the reflector layer and the transparent cover layer, a dual-brightness enhancement film interposed between the reflector layer and the array of pixels and a quarter wave plate interposed between the dual-brightness enhancement film and the reflector layer. [0074] In accordance with another embodiment, the array of openings includes an array of pinhole openings across the reflector layer.

[0075] In accordance with another embodiment, the white printed circuit board reflects at least 90% of light across visible wavelengths.

[0076] In accordance with another embodiment, the white printed circuit board includes a material selected from the group consisting of: titanium dioxide and barium sulfate.

[0077] In accordance with an embodiment, a display is provided that includes a white printed circuit board, an array of pixels on the white printed circuit board, absorber material that overlaps the array of pixels, the absorber material has first openings and reflective material interposed between the array of pixels and the absorber material, the reflective material has second openings, and the array of pixels is configured to emit light through the first and the second openings.

[0078] In accordance with another embodiment, the first and second openings overlap.

[0079] In accordance with another embodiment, the first and second openings are pinhole openings, and each pinhole opening has a diameter of less than 100 microns.

[0080] In accordance with another embodiment, the display includes an array of microlenses interposed between the reflective material and the array of pixels.

[0081] In accordance with another embodiment, the display includes an array of light pipes interposed between the reflective material and the array of pixels.

[0082] In accordance with an embodiment, a display is provided that includes pixels configured to emit light, the pixels are mounted on a substrate includes reflective material, an absorber layer that overlaps the pixels, the absorber layer has a first array of openings and a reflector layer coated on the absorber layer, the reflective layer includes a second array of openings that is aligned with the first array of openings.

[0083] In accordance with another embodiment, the reflective material of the substrate has a reflectivity of at least 90% across visible wavelengths.

[0084] In accordance with another embodiment, the substrate is a printed circuit board includes white material.

[0085] The foregoing is merely illustrative and various modifications can be made to the described embodiments. The foregoing embodiments may be implemented individually or in any combination.

Claims

Claims What is Claimed is:

1. A display, comprising: a reflective substrate; an array of pixels on the reflective substrate; a transparent cover layer that overlaps the array of pixels; and a reflector layer interposed between the transparent cover layer and the array of pixels, wherein the reflector layer comprises an array of openings.

2. The display of claim 1 , wherein the reflective substrate is a white printed circuit board.

3. The display of claim 2, wherein the array of openings is a first array of openings, the display further comprising: an absorber layer interposed between the reflector layer and the transparent cover layer, wherein the absorber layer has a second array of openings.

4. The display of claim 3, wherein the second array of openings in the reflector layer comprises an array of pinhole openings that is aligned with the first array of openings.

5. The display of claim 4, wherein each of the pinhole openings has a diameter of less than 100 microns.

6. The display of claim 4, wherein the reflector layer is formed on the absorber layer.

7. The display of claim 4, further comprising: a diffuser interposed between the reflector layer and the array of pixels.

8. The display of claim 7, further comprising: a microlens array interposed between the diffuser and the array of pixels.

9. The display of claim 7, further comprising: an array of light pipes interposed between the diffuser and the reflector layer.

10. The display of claim 9, wherein the array of light pipes is formed from first regions with high indexes of refraction and second regions with low indexes of refraction that surround the first regions.

11. The display of claim 2, further comprising: a circular polarizer interposed between the reflector layer and the transparent cover layer; a dual-brightness enhancement film interposed between the reflector layer and the array of pixels; and a quarter wave plate interposed between the dual-brightness enhancement film and the reflector layer.

12. The display of claim 11 , wherein the array of openings comprises an array of pinhole openings across the reflector layer.

13. The display of claim 2, wherein the white printed circuit board reflects at least 90% of light across visible wavelengths.

14. The display of claim 13, wherein the white printed circuit board comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: titanium dioxide and barium sulfate.

15. A display, comprising: a white printed circuit board; an array of pixels on the white printed circuit board; absorber material that overlaps the array of pixels, wherein the absorber material has first openings; and reflective material interposed between the array of pixels and the absorber material, wherein the reflective material has second openings, and wherein the array of pixels is configured to emit light through the first and the second openings.

16. The display of claim 15, wherein the first and second openings overlap.

17. The display of claim 16, wherein the first and second openings are pinhole openings, and wherein each pinhole opening has a diameter of less than 100 microns.

18. The display of claim 15, further comprising: an array of microlenses interposed between the reflective material and the array of pixels.

19. The display of claim 18, further comprising: an array of light pipes interposed between the reflective material and the array of pixels.

20. A display, comprising: pixels configured to emit light, wherein the pixels are mounted on a substrate comprising reflective material; an absorber layer that overlaps the pixels, wherein the absorber layer has a first array of openings; and a reflector layer coated on the absorber layer, wherein the reflective layer comprises a second array of openings that is aligned with the first array of openings.

21. The display of claim 20, wherein the reflective material of the substrate has a reflectivity of at least 90% across visible wavelengths.

22. The display of claim 21 , wherein the substrate is a printed circuit board comprising white material.