WO2024205782A1 - Transparent structure illumination - Google Patents

Abstract

A system may include a transparent structure, such as a glass structure, and a light component that operates through the glass structure. The light component may be a light source or a light sensor. The transparent structure may include two glass layers and a diffuser layer between the two glass layers. The diffuser layer may scatter light emitted by the light source. Local masking layers and other opaque layers may be provided within the transparent structure to prevent light from scattering within the transparent structure. Filters or adjustable tint/haze layers may be provided between two glass layers. A filter may transmit light at wavelengths of light emitted by the light source, while blocking other wavelengths of visible light, giving the transparent structure an opaque appearance when the light source is off. Portions of the transparent structure may be removed to allow light to pass through unimpeded.

Description

Transparent Structure Illumination

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/519,127, filed August 11, 2023, and U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/493,572, filed March 31, 2023, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

Field

[0001] This relates generally to transparent structures, and, more particularly, transparent structures with illumination.

Background

[0002] Transparent structures may be used in various systems. The transparent structures may be formed at the exterior or in the interior of the systems.

Summary

[0003] A system, such as a vehicle, may include a transparent structure. The transparent structure may form a windshield, backlight, canopy, side window, body portion, or other transparent portion of the vehicle. The transparent structure may be formed from glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, or other transparent material. The vehicle may also include a light component that operates through the glass structure. The light component may be a light source, such as a light-emitting diode, or a light sensor, such as a light sensor or a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor.

[0004] The transparent structure may include two transparent layers and a diffuser layer between the two transparent layers. The two transparent layers may be glass, for example. The diffuser layer may scatter light emitted by the light source. Interlayers, such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB) layers, may separate the diffuser from the glass layers and bond the glass layers.

[0005] Alternatively, the diffuser layer may be omitted to allow the light source to operate through the transparent structure (e.g., to provide external lighting). To improve the transmission of light through the transparent structure, the transparent structure may be modified, such as by removing or modifying one or more layers within the transparent structure locally about the light source. The light source may emit the light directly through the transparent structure, or a light guide may be incorporated into the transparent structure to guide the light to a desired emission location.

[0006] Local masking layers and other opaque layers may be provided within the transparent structure, such as between the interlayers and the glass layers, to prevent light from scattering within the transparent structure. The interlayers themselves may be tinted in order to prevent light scattering, if desired.

[0007] Filters and/or adjustable tint/haze layers may be provided between two glass layers. A filter may transmit light at wavelengths of light emitted by the light source, while blocking other wavelengths of visible light. In this way, the transparent structure may appear opaque when the light source is off, while transmitting light emitted by the light source. Adjustable tint/haze layers may be adjusted to selectively hide or obscure the underlying light component.

[0008] Additional layers, such as louver films, may be incorporated into the transparent structure to selectively output the light from the light source at desired angles.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional top view of an illustrative system in accordance with some embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 2A is a side view of an illustrative system in accordance with some embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 2B is a rear view of an illustrative system in accordance with some embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of an illustrative transparent structure with an integral diffuser in accordance with some embodiments.

[0013] FIGS. 4A-C are side views of illustrative diffusers that may be incorporated into transparent structures in accordance with some embodiments.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of an illustrative curved transparent structure with an integral diffuser in accordance with some embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a front view of a portion of an illustrative system having a masked or coated transparent structure with an opening for an optical component in accordance with some embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a side view of an illustrative transparent structure with local masks with openings through which an optical component operates in accordance with some embodiments.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a side view of an illustrative transparent structure with a locally tinted interlayer with a window through which an optical component operates in accordance with some embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a side view of an illustrative transparent structure with an integral filter that overlaps an optical component in accordance with some embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 10 is a graph of illustrative transmission profiles of filters that may be incorporated into a transparent structure over an optical component in accordance with some embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 11 A is a front view of an illustrative transparent structure with an integral filter when an underlying light source provides illumination in accordance with some embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 1 IB is a front view of an illustrative transparent structure with an integral filter when an underlying light source is off in accordance with some embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 12 is a side view of an illustrative transparent structure with a louver film through which an optical component operates in accordance with some embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 13 is a side view of an illustrative transparent structure having removed transparent layer and interlayer portions forming an opening through which an optical component operates in accordance with some embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 14 is a side view of an illustrative transparent structure having removed transparent layer and interlayer portions forming an opening that is filled with transparent material through which an optical component operates in accordance with some embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 15 is a side view of an illustrative transparent structure having a light guide and a mirror structure that redirects light into the light guide in accordance with some embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 16 is a side view of an illustrative light guide formed from a layer having a high index of refraction in accordance with some embodiments. Detailed Description

[0027] A system, such as a vehicle, may have transparent structures, such as canopy structures, windshields, backlites, side windows, and/or transparent portions of a body of the vehicle. In some embodiments, a vehicle may have a vehicle body and a canopy structure that extends from a front portion of the vehicle body to a rear portion of the vehicle body. In particular, the canopy structure may extend over the areas conventionally covered by a windshield, a backlite, and the top portion of the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, a vehicle may have other transparent structures, such as windshields, backlites, and/or one or more side windows.

[0028] It may be desirable to incorporate illumination and/or optical sensing within these transparent structures. For example, one or more light sources may be placed behind the transparent structures, and diffusers may be integrated into the transparent structures to diffuse the light emitted by the light sources. Alternatively or additionally, local masking layers or other opaque regions may be incorporated within the transparent structures to prevent light from scattering within the transparent structures. Filters, active tinting and/or haze layers, and/or louver films may be incorporated over the light sources to hide the light sources when the light sources are off (e.g., when the light sources are not illuminated) and/or to improve the illumination provided by the light sources relative to ambient light.

[0029] Alternatively, the diffuser layer may be omitted to allow the light source to operate through the transparent structure (e.g., to provide external lighting). To improve the transmission of light through the transparent structure, the transparent structure may be modified, such as by removing or modifying one or more layers within the transparent structure locally about the light source. The light source may emit the light directly through the transparent structure, or a light guide may be incorporated into the transparent structure to guide the light to a desired emission location.

[0030] Instead of, or in addition to, including a light source behind the transparent structures, one or more optical sensors may be included behind the transparent structures. In this way, illumination may be provided through the transparent structures and/or light may be sensed through the transparent structures.

[0031] In general, a transparent structure through which an optical component may operate may be incorporated into any desired system, such as a building or a vehicle. Embodiments in which a transparent structure is incorporated into a vehicle are sometimes described herein as examples. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional top view of an illustrative vehicle to which one or more transparent structures may be applied. In the example of FIG. 1, vehicle 10 is the type of vehicle that may carry passengers (e.g., an automobile, truck, or other automotive vehicle). [0032] 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. [0033] Vehicle 10 may include a body such as body 18. Body 18 may include vehicle structures such as body panels formed from metal, glass, polycarbonate, 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 14 (also referred to as rear window 14 herein) may be formed at rear R of vehicle 10, if desired. Windows 16, windshield 12, rear window 14, 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).

[0034] 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. The configuration of FIG. 1 in which interior region 11 of vehicle 10 contains one or more rearward-facing bucket seats and/or bench seats and one or more forward-facing bucket seats and/or bench seats is illustrative.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, vehicle 10 of FIG. 1 may include components 26. Components 26 may include a controller (also referred to as control circuitry herein) and input-output devices. A controller 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 controller 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 non-volatile 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.

[0038] 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 exterior region 13 and/or may, if desired, be attached to and/or mounted to other portions of body 18.

[0039] If desired, windshield 12 and rear window (backlite) 14 may be formed by a structure that extends over the top of the vehicle (e.g., may form a roof structure for the vehicle), and reinforcing elements may be incorporated into the structure. In other words, a single glass structure may cover interior region 11 , including seats 24 and components 26, and may also form windshield 12 and backlite 14. The structure may also extend between the two sides S of vehicle 10. An illustrative side view of a vehicle having such as structure is shown in FIG. 2A.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2 A, structure 30 may extend from a region at front F of vehicle body 18 to a region at rear R of vehicle body 18, and may be coupled to vehicle body 18 between front F and rear R. Structure 30 may have curvature 32 between front F and rear R (e.g., along an axis that extends between front F and rear R of vehicle 10). Windows 16 (e.g., side windows of the vehicle) may be formed below structure 30 on the sides of vehicle 10, if desired.

[0041] Although curvature 32 is shown as having a constant radius in FIG. 2A, this is merely illustrative. In some embodiments, curvature 32 may have a non-constant radius, such as having a smaller radius at the front and the rear (e.g., the areas conventionally occupied by the windshield and backlite) and a larger radius at the top of vehicle 10. In general, however, curvature 32 may be varied in any desired manner along the length of structure 30.

[0042] In addition to, or instead of, varying curvature 32 of structure 30 between the front and rear of the vehicle, a curvature of structure 30 between the sides of the vehicle (e.g., sides S of FIG. 1) may be varied. An illustrative rear view of a vehicle having structure 30 is shown in FIG. 2B.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2B, structure 30 may extend from a region at one side S of vehicle 10 to a region at the other side S of vehicle 10, and may be coupled to vehicle body 18 between the sides S. Windows 16 (e.g., side windows of the vehicle) may be formed beneath structure 30 at sides S of vehicle 10, if desired. [0044] Structure 30 may have curvature 35 between sides S of vehicle 10. Curvature 35 may extend along an axis between sides S of vehicle 10 and may be perpendicular to the axis along which curvature 32 extends. For example, curvature 35 may have a non-constant radius (e.g., the radius may change along the curvature 35 as it extends between sides S). In an illustrative embodiment, curvature 35 may have a smaller radius at the sides of the vehicle and a larger radius at the top of vehicle 10. However, this is merely illustrative. In general, curvature 35 may be varied in any desired manner between sides S. Alternatively, curvature 35 may have a constant radius between sides S, if desired.

[0045] Structure 30 may be formed from a large piece of curved glass. For example, structure 30 may have an area of at least 5 m², at least 6 m², at least 7 m², or other suitable area to extend between the front and rear of a vehicle and between the sides of the vehicle.

[0046] Moreover, structure 30 may require complex curvature. In an illustrative example, structure 30 may have a first curvature in the area traditionally occupied by a windshield, a second curvature in the area traditionally occupied by a roof of the vehicle, and a third curvature in the area traditionally occupied by a backlite. The first, second, and/or third curvatures may be the same, or may vary from one another. For example, the first, second, and/or third curvatures may have different radii of curvature from the other portions of structure 30. However, these differences in curvature are merely illustrative. In general, structure 30 may have any desired curvature.

[0047] Although not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a transparent structure, such as transparent structure 30 may be curved to wrap around front F of vehicle 10 laterally (e.g., perpendicular to the direction of travel of vehicle 10). In other words, the transparent structure may extend to cover the A pillar on the driver and/or passenger side of vehicle 10.

[0048] Alternatively or additionally, a transparent structure, such as transparent structure 30 may form a windshield that extends along the vehicle in the direction of travel from a plane defining the front row of seats inside the vehicle to a plane forward of the front lights (e.g., headlights) of the vehicle. The windshield may cover the headlights, if desired. In some embodiments, the headlights may operate through the windshield.

[0049] However, these examples of a transparent structure in a vehicle are merely illustrative. In general, transparent structure 30 may be used to form any suitable transparent structure in a vehicle, such as a windshield, backlite, roof glass, canopy, side windows, and/or glass portions of the vehicle body. Alternatively, transparent structure 30 may be incorporated into any other desired system, such as a building or other system.

[0050] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to incorporate illumination or other optical functionality, into transparent structures in vehicle 10. This functionality may be incorporated into a canopy structure (e.g., structure 30), side windows (e.g., windows 16 of FIG. 1), a windshield (e.g., windshield 12 of FIG. 1), a backlite (e.g., backlite 14 of FIG. 1), a transparent portion of a vehicle body (e.g., body 18 of FIG. 1), or any other transparent portion of vehicle 10. These transparent portions of vehicle 10 may be formed from glass, sapphire, acrylic, polycarbonate, and/or any other desired transparent material. In some illustrative examples, the transparent structures in vehicle 10 are formed from glass. An illustrative example of a transparent structure with an integral diffuser to provide illumination is shown in FIG. 3.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3, transparent structure 31 may include transparent layers 34 and 36. Transparent layers 34 and 36 may be formed from glass, sapphire, acrylic, polycarbonate, and/or any other desired transparent material. Interlayers 38 and 40 may be applied to transparent layers 34 and 36, respectively. Interlayers 38 and 40 may be formed from polyvinyl butyral (PVB), a transparent resin, or other optically clear adhesive (OCA). In general, interlayers 38 and 40 may bond transparent layers 34 and 36 together to form structure 31. In some illustrative embodiments, transparent layers 34 and 36 are formed from glass, and interlayers 38 and 40 are formed from PVB.

[0052] Diffuser 42 may also be included between transparent layers 34 and 36. Diffuser 42 may be a bulk diffuser or a surface diffuser. Vehicle 10 may also include optical component 43 positioned behind transparent structure 31. Optical component 43 may include a light source, such as a light-emitting diode (LED), and/or may include an optical sensor, such as an ambient light sensor or an infrared-based sensor (such as a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor). Therefore, optical component 43 may be referred to as light source 43 or light sensor 43 herein. Optical component 43 may operate at visible wavelengths (e.g., may emit visible light or detect visible light) or may operate at other wavelengths, such as infrared wavelengths (e.g., may emit infrared light or detect infrared light). However, these examples are merely illustrative. In general, optical component 43 may include any desired light sources and/or light sensors.

[0053] In an illustrative embodiment, optical component 43 may emit light 45 toward structure 31. For example, optical component 43 may be formed in the interior 11 of vehicle 10 (FIG. 1), may be attached to body 18 of vehicle 10, or may otherwise be coupled to vehicle 10. Structure 31 may form a windshield, backlite, canopy, side window, or transparent body portion of vehicle 10.

[0054] Light 45 may pass through transparent layer 36 and interlayer 40. Diffuser 42 may then diffuse light 45 before it exits structure 31. By diffusing light 45, light 45 may be scattered in a suitable fashion based on the function of light source 43. For example, light source 43 may form a headlight that emits light through a windshield, a body panel of the vehicle, or a glass lens element that is coupled to the body of the vehicle, as examples. In other words, structure 31 may form a windshield, body panel, or lens elements. Diffusing light 45 from light source 43 may emit light in a suitable fashion to form headlights. Additionally, the presence of diffuser 42 may reduce the apparent distance between light source 43 and structure 31 when viewed from outside of the vehicle due to the scattering of light by diffuser 42. In this way, by incorporating diffuser 42 into structure 31, illumination may be provided through structure 31.

[0055] Although light source 43 has been described as forming a headlight, this is merely illustrative. In general, light source 43 may form any vehicle light, such as a taillight, turn signal, or indicator light. In some embodiments, light source 43 may display information, such as by projecting information onto a surface outside of vehicle 10 (e.g., on an exterior surface of vehicle 10 or a surface in the environment outside of vehicle 10) or directly display information through transparent structure 31. Regardless of the type of light source used, diffuser 42 may be formed to diffuse light 45 and reduce the apparent distance between light source 43 and structure 31 when viewed from outside of the vehicle.

[0056] In embodiments in which optical component 43 is a light sensor, diffuser 42 may be omitted, or may be used to diffuse incoming light to be sensed by the light sensor. Additionally, diffuser 42 may reduce the apparent distance between light sensor 43 and structure 31 when viewed from outside of the vehicle.

[0057] Although FIG. 3 shows diffuser 42 as a separate layer from interlayers 38 and 40 and from transparent layers 34 and 36, this is merely illustrative. In some embodiments, diffuser 42 may be formed from particles that are embedded within an interlayer, such as one or both of interlayers 38 and 40. In these arrangements, a single interlayer, such as interlayer 38, may be included (e.g., interlayer 40 may be omitted from structure 31 and diffuser 42 may be formed within interlayer 38). [0058] Alternatively or additionally, diffuser 42 may be formed as a surface diffuser by forming texture on the inner surface of transparent layer 34 (e.g., the surface facing interlayer 38) and/or by forming texture on the inner surface of transparent of transparent layer 36 (e.g., the surface facing interlayer 40).

[0059] As another alternative, diffuser 42 may be formed from an adjustable haze layer. For example, the adjustable haze layer may be formed from a liquid crystal layer that can be adjusted by a controller of vehicle 10 to adjust the haze. In some embodiments, the adjustable haze layer may be activated (e.g., may be hazy) to diffuse/scatter light emitted by light source 43 when light source 43 is on, while the adjustable haze layer may be deactivated (e.g., may be transparent/clear with low or no haze) when light source 43 is off. If desired, the adjustable haze layer may have individually addressable regions with individually controllable haze. The control circuitry may adjust each of these regions to form an image with the light emitted by light source 43. In other words, the adjustable haze layer may selectively diffuse portions of light 45 to form a desired image/pattem.

[0060] In other embodiments, diffuser 42 may both scatter light emitted by light source 43 and adjust the color/wavelength of the light. For example, diffuser 42 may include phosphors that modify the color of light incident on the phosphors. In an illustrative embodiment, light source 43 may emit blue light, phosphors in diffuser 42 may emit yellow light in response to the blue light, and the combined blue and yellow light may appear white to an external observer of structure 31. However, this is merely illustrative. In general, diffuser 42 may include any suitable phosphors or other color-shifting materials.

[0061] Diffuser 42 may also be formed from photoluminescent material. For example, diffuser 42 may absorb light, such as ultraviolet ambient light, and emit light, such as visible light. In some embodiments, the photoluminescent material in diffuser 42 may absorb the ultraviolet or other ambient light and may emit the visible light when it is dark outside (such as at night time). In this way, diffuser 42 may form a retroreflector or other safety light on vehicle 10.

[0062] In general, diffuser 42 may be formed in any desired manner to diffuse light from optical component 43 (or to diffuse light entering structure 31 that will be measured by optical component 43). Illustrative arrangements of diffuser 42 are shown in FIGS. 4A-C. [0063] As shown in FIG. 4A, diffuser 42 may be a surface diffuser. In particular, diffuser 42 may have surface 46 and surface 44. Surface 46 may be a smooth surface, while surface 44 may be textured. The texture of surface 44 may diffuse light that passes through diffuser 42. In an illustrative example, surface 44 may face the interior light source, while surface 46 may face the exterior. If desired, however, surface 46 may face the interior light source, and surface 44 may face the exterior. Alternatively, both surfaces 44 and 46 may be textured. In this way, light from the light source may be diffused before exiting to the exterior.

[0064] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4B, diffuser 42 may be a bulk diffuser. Diffuser 42 may have particles 50 dispersed in material 48. Particles 50 may have a different index of refraction than material 48. For example, material 48 may be transparent with a low index of refraction (e.g., between 1 and 1.3), while particles 50 may have a high index of refraction (e.g., 1.5 or higher). In this way, when light passes through diffuser 42, the light may be scattered.

[0065] If desired, diffuser 42 may be incorporated into one of the other layers in structure 31 (FIG. 3). For example, one or both of interlayers 38 and/or 40 may include particles, such as particles 50, that diffuse light. Alternatively or additionally, as shown in FIG. 4C, transparent layers 34 and/or 36 may have textured surfaces 49 and/or 47 that form diffuser 42. Although FIG. 4C shows both layers 34 and 36 with texture, this is merely illustrative. Only one of the layers may be textured, if desired.

[0066] In general, diffuser 42 may conform to the shape of structure 31. As shown in the illustrative example of FIG. 5, structure 31 may have a curvature defined by the curvature of transparent layers 34 and 36. Diffuser 42 may be formed with the same curvature between layers 34 and 36. Depending on the curvature of structure 31 , diffuser 42 may have two- dimensional curvature (e.g., may be curved/bent along a single direction), or may have three- dimensional curvature (e.g., may be conformable in multiple directions). In some embodiments, structure 31 and diffuser 42 may both have complex curvature. In this way, diffuser 42 may be incorporated into structure 31 regardless of the curvature of structure 31, and may diffuse light that passes through structure 31.

[0067] Structure 31 may be incorporated into a system, such as vehicle 10 of FIG. 1. An illustrative example is shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, structure 31 may form a windshield, window, backlite, canopy, or other transparent structure that is adjacent to body 18. Structure 31 may be transparent, and may include non-transparent region 52. Nontransparent region 52 may be formed from a masking layer integrated into structure 31 (e.g., between transparent layers 34 and 36 of FIG. 3), and may be formed from ink or a dark frit layer (e.g., a ceramic frit). Alternatively or additionally, region 52 may be formed from a paint wrap film that is applied to the exterior surface of structure 31. In an illustrative embodiment, the external surface of structure 31 may be paint wrapped in region 52 to match the appearance (such as having the same color and/or reflectivity) of the portion of body 18 that is adjacent to structure 31.

[0068] Although region 52 is shown as covering only a portion of structure 31, this is merely illustrative. In some embodiments, region 52 may cover the entirety of structure 31 with select openings 54 to allow for light transmission. For example, if structure 31 forms a lens module over a light component, the entirety of structure 31 may be paint wrapped in a color that matches the appearance of body 18, with one or more openings 54 through which the underlying light component may operate.

[0069] One or more openings 54 may be formed in region 52. Openings 54 may allow light that is incident on structure 31 to pass through. For example, light from an interior light source may be emitted through openings 54, or ambient light may pass through openings 54. In some embodiments, a light component, such as a light source or sensor, may be included in the system behind structure 31, and opening 54 may overlap the light component.

[0070] In embodiments in which a light source emits light through structure 31 , it may be desirable to incorporate local masking layers or tinted layers to avoid light reflections within structure 31. Illustrative examples are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 7, structure 31 may include transparent layers 34 and 36 separated by interlayers 56. Interlayers 56 may include a single layer that bonds layers 34 and 36, such as a PVB layer or an optically clear adhesive layer, or may include multiple layers, such as interlayer 38, interlayer 40, and/or diffuser 42 of FIG. 3. Light source 64 may be incorporated within vehicle 10 and may emit light through structure 31.

[0072] To reduce the amount of stray light that is reflected within structure 31 , structure 31 may include local masking layers between one or more layers. In the example of FIG. 7, structure 31 includes masking layer 58 between transparent layer 34 and interlayers 56, masking layer 60 between interlayers 56 and transparent layer 36, and masking layer 62 on an interior surface of transparent layer 36 (e.g., closest to light source 64). Masking layers 58, 60, and 62 may be formed from any desired opaque material, such as ceramic frit or ink.

[0073] Light source 64 may emit light 66 with an angle of emission A. Light within angle A may pass through masking layers 58, 60, and 62, while stray light outside of angle A may be absorbed by masking layer 58, 60, or 62. Therefore, instead of stray light from light source 64 reflecting between transparent layers 34 and 36, the stray light may be absorbed by one of the masking layers.

[0074] Although not shown in FIG. 7, additional masking layers may be provided between layers of interlayers 56 if more than one interlayer is provided between transparent layers 34 and 36. Additionally or alternatively, an additional masking layer may be provided on an outer surface of transparent layer 34. Moreover, in some embodiments, one or more of the masking layers shown in FIG. 7 may be omitted.

[0075] In some embodiments, some or all of the masking layers in FIG. 7 may be replaced by tinted interlayers. An illustrative example of structure 31 having a tinted interlayer is shown in FIG. 8

[0076] As shown in FIG. 8, interlayer 56 may have tinted portions 67 that extend from transparent layer 34 to transparent layer 36. For example, interlayer 56 may be a single PVB layer (or other transparent adhesive material) that is locally tinted, such as with dye or ink. Interlayer 56 may have transparent window 68 that is either an untinted portion of interlayer 56 or an opening in interlayer 56. Light from light source 64 may pass through window 68, while stray light may be absorbed by tinted portions 67. One or more masking layers, such as masking layer 58, may also be incorporated into structure 31 to block additional stray light, if desired.

[0077] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to incorporate additional layers within structure 31 to hide underlying light components from view. For example, passive structures, such as filters, and/or active structures, such as adjustable haze/tint layers, may be incorporated into structure 31 to hide or obscure an underlying component. An illustrative example of a layer that may be incorporated into structure 31 to hide an underlying component is shown in FIG. 9.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 9, structure 31 may include filter 70 overlapping light component 64. Light component 64 may be a light source and/or a light sensor, and may therefore be referred to as light source 64 and/or light sensor 64 herein. Filter 70 may extend over a larger portion of structure 31 (e.g., to the left and right of FIG. 9), and may be formed on one or more layers of structure 31. The example of FIG. 9 in which filter 70 is formed between interlayers 56 and transparent layer 34 and is present only directly over light component 64 is merely illustrative. [0079] Filter 70 may be a notch filter that only allows selected wavelengths of light to pass through. For example, filter 70 may be a bandpass filter that transmits specific wavelengths of red, green, and blue light that match the wavelengths of red, green, and blue light emitted by light source 64. When light source 64 is turned off, mask 58 and filter 70 may appear to be a continuous, opaque portion of structure 31. When light source 64 emits light, however, the light will pass through filter 70 to the exterior of vehicle 10.

[0080] Alternatively, filter 70 may be a filter that transmits infrared light while blocking (e.g., absorbing) visible light. For example, if component 64 is an infrared light source or an infrared light sensor, filter 70 may allow the relevant infrared light through while blocking visible light. In this way, mask 58 and filter 70 may appear to be a continuous, opaque portion of structure 31 when viewed by an observer of vehicle 10. Illustrative transmission profiles of filter 70 are shown in FIG. 10.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 10, filter 70 may have transmission profile 72. In particular, filter 70 may have three pass bands, one at one or more selected green wavelengths, one at one or more selected blue wavelengths, and one at one or more selected red wavelengths. The red, green, and blue wavelengths may match the wavelengths emitted by a light source (e.g., component 64 of FIG. 9) or based on wavelengths that are detected by a light sensor. In this way, light emitted by the light source (or detected by the light sensor) may pass through, while other light may be absorbed, thereby giving filter 70 an opaque appearance when the light source is turned off.

[0082] Alternatively, filter 70 may have transmission profile 74. In particular, filter 70 may transmit light only at infrared wavelengths, such as wavelengths of 780 nm or greater, 800 nm or greater, or 900 nm or greater, as examples. Filter 70 may absorb visible wavelengths, such as wavelengths less than 780 nm.

[0083] Transmission profiles 72 and 74 are merely illustrative. In general, filter 70 may have any suitable transmission profile to transmit wavelengths emitted by or detected by a light component, while blocking other wavelengths. In this way, the light component beneath filter 70 may be hidden or obscured by filter 70, unless the light component is a light source that is actively emitting light at the wavelengths filter 70 transmits. Illustrative front view of structure 31 with filter 70 with an underlying light source on and off are shown in FIGS. 11 A and 1 IB, respectively.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 11 A, structure 31 may have transparent portion 37 and opaque portion 73. Opaque portion 73 may correspond to a portion with an opaque mask, such as opaque mask 58 of FIG. 9. Alternatively or additionally, opaque portion 73 may be formed from a paint wrap film that is applied to the exterior surface of structure 31 (as shown in FIG. 6). Regions 75 may correspond with portions having a filter, such as filter 70 of FIG. 9. [0085] When an underlying visible light source (e.g., light source 64 that emits light at visible wavelengths) is turned on, the light emitted by light source 64 is visible to an observer of structure 31, as the filter over light source 64 transmits the light emitted by light source 64. However, when light source 64 is off (e.g., when light source 64 is not emitting light), regions 75 will appear opaque, as shown in FIG. 1 IB. Because the filter absorbs light at wavelengths other than those emitted by light source 64, the filter, and therefore regions 75, will appear opaque when the light source is off.

[0086] If component 64 of FIG. 9 is an infrared light sensing component or a light source that emits non- visible light, regions 75 may always appear opaque to an external observer, as shown in FIG. 1 IB. In particular, because the filter in regions 75 absorbs visible light while transmitting selected wavelengths of non- visible light, regions 75 will appear opaque.

[0087] Although the embodiments of FIGS. 11 A and 1 IB have been described as having regions that appear opaque due to a passive filter that transmits selected wavelengths of light, this is merely illustrative. If desired, structure 31 may include active components in regions 75 to selectively hide/obscure underlying components. For example, structure 31 may include adjustable tint layers and/or adjustable haze layers formed from liquid crystal layers or other desired materials.

[0088] In an illustrative example, one or more of interlayers 56 of FIG. 9 may be an adjustable haze layer and/or an adjustable tint layer. A controller in vehicle 10 may adjust the adjustable haze/tint layers between a transparent mode in which regions 75 are transparent (e.g., FIG. 11 A) and a non-transparent mode in which regions 75 are opaque, hazy, or otherwise obscure underlying components (e.g., FIG. 1 IB). The controller may place the adjustable haze/tint layers into the transparent mode when the underlying component is operating (e.g., emitting light or sensing light) and may place the adjustable haze/tint layers into the non-transparent mode when the underlying component is off, as examples.

[0089] The adjustable haze/tint layers may transmit 30% or less of visible light, 20% or less of visible light, or 15% or less of visible light when the adjustable haze/tint layers are activated to block light. However, these transmission values are merely illustrative. In general, the adjustable haze/tint layers may transmit any suitable amount of visible light. [0090] Instead of, or in addition to, including layers to obscure or hide underlying components from view, structures 31 may include layers that allow for viewing light emitted by the underlying components at only certain angles of view. An illustrative example is shown in FIG. 12.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 12, structure 31 may include louver film 86 that includes louvers 84. Louvers 84 may be formed from opaque material and may block off-axis external light, such as light 76 and 78, by absorbing the light. On the other hand, on-axis light emitted by light source 43, such as light 80 and 82, may pass through louvers 84 to an external observer of structure 30. In this way, light emitted by light source 43 may only be viewable at angles set by the design of louvers 84. If desired, active louvers (e.g., louvers that can be mechanically or electrically adjusted), may be incorporated into structure 31 to adjust the angle at which light emitted by light source 43 may be viewed.

[0092] Although FIGS. 3-12 have shown a light source operating through multiple layers of a transparent structure, transparent structures may interfere with the functionality of underlying light sources. For example, the transparent structures (or some layers within the transparent structures) may be tinted, which will reduce the light transmitted through the transparent layers. Therefore, to allow a light source to operate through a transparent structure, the transparent structure may be modified. An illustrative example of a modified transparent structure is shown in FIG. 13.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 13, transparent structure 31 may have portions of interlayer 56 and transparent layer 36 removed. For example, one or more portions of interlayer 56 and transparent layer 36 at an edge of transparent structure 31 may be removed or omitted to form an opening. Alternatively or additionally, one or more portions of interlayer 56 and transparent layer 36 at other portions (e.g., interior portions) of transparent structure 31 may be removed or omitted to form an opening.

[0094] To remove or omit the portions of interlayer 56 and/or transparent layer 36, the portions may be cut/ablated, or interlayer 56 and/or transparent layer 36 may be molded (or formed via another suitable process) with the opening(s). In this way, an opening may be formed in interlayer 56 and/or transparent layer 36.

[0095] In general, interlayer 56 may be a single PVB layer (or other transparent adhesive material). Interlayer 56 may be tinted, such as with dye or ink, or may be transparent. Transparent layer 36 may be tinted, such as with dye or ink, or may be transparent. By removing or omitting portions of interlayer 56 and transparent layer 36 locally with respect to light source 64, light source 64 may operate through transparent structure 31 without interlayer 56 and/or transparent layer 36 impeding the transmission of light through transparent structure 31. In other words, light source 64 may overlap the opening in interlayer 56 and/or transparent layer 36, and may operate through the opening, if desired. In this way, light source 64 may operate through transparent structure 31 without interlayer 56 and/or transparent layer 36 impeding the light emitted by light source 64.

[0096] Light source 64 may form a headlight that operates through a windshield formed by transparent structure 31 , may form a brake light that operates through a backlite formed by transparent structure 31 , may form a turn signal, daytime running light, or any other suitable indicator or marker that operates through transparent structure 31.

[0097] Although FIG. 13 shows portions of both interlayer 56 and transparent layer 36 being removed or omitted to allow light source 64 to operate through transparent structure 31 , this is merely illustrative. In some embodiments, a portion of transparent layer 36 may be removed or omitted, without removing or omitting a portion of interlayer 56. Additionally or alternatively, instead of moving light source 64 closer to transparent layer 34 in the region in which the material from interlayer 56 and transparent layer 36 has been removed, additional material may be used to fill that region. An illustrative example is shown in FIG. 14.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 14, transparent layer 88 may be used to fill the opening created by removing portions of interlayer 56 and transparent layer 36. Transparent layer 88 may be polymer (e.g., polycarbonate or other transparent polymer) that is molded onto transparent layer 34 and/or onto the edges of interlayer 56 and transparent layer 36. Alternatively, transparent layer 88 may include a transparent PVB layer (e.g., a transparent adhesive layer) and a transparent glass layer. In other embodiments (e.g., when light source 64 forms a headlight or other focused light that operates through transparent structure 31), transparent layer 88 may be a lens structure that focuses the light emitted by light source 64. In general, however, transparent layer 88 may be formed by one or more layers of any suitable transparent material.

[0099] By replacing the removed or omitted portions of interlayer 56 and transparent layer 36 with transparent layers, light source 64 may operate through transparent structure 31 with a high light transmission through transparent structure 31. In particular, by removing or omitting one or more tinted layers (e.g., interlayer 56 and/or transparent layer 36) and replacing them with untinted transparent layer 88, the transmission of light through transparent structure 31 may be increased.

[00100] Although not shown in FIG. 14, if transparent layer 88 is formed from molded polymer, transparent layer 88 may be molded over the exposed edge of transparent layer 34. In this way, transparent layer 34 may be reinforced using transparent layer 88.

[00101] In the examples of FIGS. 13 and 14, masking layer 58 is used to obscure underlying light source 64 and to reduce the likelihood of light leaking into transparent structure 31. Although not shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, additional masking layers and/or tinted PVB (e.g., PVB of portions 67 of FIG. 8) may be incorporated into transparent structure 31 to prevent light from light source 64 leaking into the other portions of transparent structure 31.

[00102] Although FIGS. 3-14 have described a light source operating out of a transparent structure directly, this is merely illustrative. In some embodiments, a light source may emit light through a light guide in the transparent structure. An illustrative example of a transparent structure with such a light guide is shown in FIG. 15.

[00103] As shown in FIG. 15, transparent structure 31 may include light guide 98. Light guide 98 may be formed between interlayers 56, or may be embedded within/ surrounded by a single interlayer 56. Transparent layers 34 and 36 may be formed on either side of interlayer 56.

[00104] Light guide 98 may be formed from transparent layer 90 and low index layers 96. For example, transparent layer 90 may be polymer or glass, and low index layers 96 may be formed from silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, or other material having a low index of refraction (e.g., an index of refraction less than 1.5, less than 1.4, less than 1.3, or other suitable refractive index). Although FIG. 15 shows low index layers 96 as separate layers, they may be portions of a single layer that wraps entirely around transparent layer 90. In other words, transparent layer 90 may be embedded within low index layer 96.

[00105] Rather than emitting light directly through transparent structure 31, light source 64 may emit light 94 through transparent layer 36, interlayer 56, and low index layer 96 to mirror 92. Mirror 92 may be a reflective metal layer, such as a reflective metal coating, a reflective polymer layer, such as a white polymer coating, or other suitable reflective material. For example, mirror 92 may be formed as a coating on a portion of transparent layer 90, transparent layer 90 may be injection molded around mirror 92 (e.g., as a two-shot injection mold), or mirror 92 may be formed separately from transparent layer 90 and be adjacent to transparent layer 90. However, these examples are merely illustrative. In general, mirror 92 may be formed in any suitable manner.

[00106] Mirror 92 may reflect light 94 into light guide 98. In particular, the light may reflect within transparent layer 90 between low index layers 96 according the principles of total internal reflection as light 99. In other words, light 99 may reflect between low index layers 96 and may be kept within transparent layer 90.

[00107] Although not shown in FIG. 15, light guide 98 may have one or more coatings (e.g., a coating on the surface of one of low index layers 96 or on transparent layer 90) and/or one or more scattering features (e.g., a scattering feature, such as texture, that extends into or out of transparent layer 90) to redirect light 99 out of light guide 98 at a desired location. In this way, light emitted by light source 64 may be outputted from transparent structure 31 at a location that is laterally offset from light source 64.

[00108] Transparent structure 31 may be attached to a portion of vehicle/system 10 using adhesive 101. Therefore, by redirecting light 94 into light guide 98 using mirror 92, light source 64 may be on the dry side of vehicle 10 (e.g., inside of adhesive 101), rather than a light source in a traditional light guide arrangement at the edge of light guide 98.

[00109] Although FIG. 15 shows transparent layer 90 extending on the left and right sides of mirror 92, this is merely illustrative. In some embodiments, transparent layer 90 may be omitted on the left side of mirror 92, and interlayer 56 may fill the gap. Alternatively, mirror 92 may be formed as a structure that extends from the leftmost edge of transparent structure 31 to transparent structure 90.

[00110] For example, as shown in the illustrative light guide of FIG. 16, mirror 92 may be a structure that extends to the left of layer 100. Layer 100 may be equivalent to transparent layer 90 of FIG. 15. Alternatively, light guide 98 of FIG. 16 may omit low index layers (e.g., low index layers 96 of FIG. 15), and layer 100 may be a single high index layer. In other words, material surrounding layer 100, such as interlayer 56, may have a lower index of refraction than the high index material of layer 100, so light 94 may reflect within layer 100 as light 99 due to the principles of total internal reflection. In other words, layer 100 may be embedded within interlayer 56.

[00111] Examples of high index materials that may be used to form layer 100 include titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or tantalum pentoxide. However, these are merely illustrative. In general, any material with a refractive index of at least 1.5, at least 1.8, at least 2.0, at least 1.6, or other suitable refractive index (e.g., a refractive index that is sufficiently higher than the surrounding material) may be used to form a high index layer 100.

[00112] One or more structures 31 may be used in forming one or more transparent structures in a system, such as a windshield (e.g., a windshield that extends along the vehicle in the direction of travel from a plane defining the front row of seats inside the vehicle to a plane forward of the front lights (e.g., headlights) of the vehicle), backlite, canopy, a transparent portion (e.g., a windshield) that is curved at the front of the vehicle to extend to cover the A pillar on the driver and/or passenger side of the vehicle, a transparent vehicle body portion and/or side windows of a vehicle, or windows of a building. Optical components, such as light sources and/or optical sensors, may operate through structures 31. Each structure 31 may have any suitable outline (rectangular, triangular, circular, shapes with curved edges and/or straight edges, etc.).

[00113] In accordance with an embodiment, a vehicle is provided that includes a body, a transparent structure coupled to the body, the transparent structure includes first and second transparent layers, and a diffuser interposed between the first and second transparent layers and a light component that operates through the diffuser.

[00114] In accordance with another embodiment, the light component is a light-emitting component, and the first and second transparent layers are glass layers.

[00115] In accordance with another embodiment, the transparent structure further includes a first local masking layer between the first transparent layer and the diffuser, a second local masking layer between the diffuser and a first surface of the second transparent layer, and a third local masking layer on a second surface of the second transparent layer, opposite the first surface.

[00116] In accordance with another embodiment, the transparent structure further includes an interlayer between the first and second transparent layers, the interlayer has tinted portions, the interlayer has a transparent window between the tinted portions, and the lightemitting component emits light through the transparent window.

[00117] In accordance with another embodiment, the transparent structure further includes a filter that overlaps the light-emitting component. [00118] In accordance with another embodiment, the light-emitting component emits light at given visible wavelengths, the filter transmits the given visible wavelengths, and the filter absorbs wavelengths other than the given visible wavelengths.

[00119] In accordance with another embodiment, the light-emitting component emits light at infrared wavelengths, the filter transmits infrared wavelengths, and the filter absorbs visible wavelengths.

[00120] In accordance with another embodiment, the light component is a light sensor.

[00121] In accordance with another embodiment, the transparent structure further includes an adjustable tint layer, the adjustable tint layer overlaps the light component, and the adjustable tint layer is adjustable between a transparent mode and a non-transparent mode. [00122] In accordance with another embodiment, the vehicle includes a controller that is configured to place the adjustable tint layer into the transparent mode when the light component is on and to place the adjustable tint layer into the non-transparent mode when the light component is off.

[00123] In accordance with another embodiment, the diffuser includes a surface diffuser having surface texture that scatters light emitted by the light component.

[00124] In accordance with another embodiment, the surface texture is formed on a surface of one of the first transparent layer or the second transparent layer.

[00125] In accordance with another embodiment, the transparent structure further includes a first interlayer interposed between the diffuser and the first transparent layer and a second interlayer interposed between the diffuser and the second transparent layer.

[00126] In accordance with another embodiment, the diffuser includes a bulk diffuser layer that includes particles in a bulk material.

[00127] In accordance with another embodiment, the light component includes a lightemitting component, and the transparent structure further includes a louver film that overlaps the light component.

[00128] In accordance with another embodiment, at least a portion of the transparent structure is paint wrapped to match an appearance of the body.

[00129] In accordance with an embodiment, a transparent structure is provided that includes first and second transparent layers, a diffuser interposed between the first and second transparent layers, a first interlayer interposed between the diffuser and the first transparent layer and a second interlayer interposed between the diffuser and the second transparent layer.

[00130] In accordance with another embodiment, the first and second transparent layers include glass, and the first and second interlayers bond the first and second transparent layers. [00131] In accordance with another embodiment, the transparent structure includes a first local masking layer interposed between the first transparent layer and the first interlayer and a second local masking layer interposed between the second interlayer and the second transparent layer.

[00132] In accordance with another embodiment, the transparent structure includes a filter between the first and second transparent layers, the filter transmits infrared light and blocks visible light.

[00133] In accordance with another embodiment, the transparent structure includes an adjustable tint layer between the first and second transparent layers.

[00134] In accordance with an embodiment, a glass window is provided that includes a first glass layer, a second glass layer and a diffuser interposed between the first and second glass layers.

[00135] In accordance with another embodiment, the glass window includes a first polyvinyl butyral layer interposed between the diffuser and the first glass layer and a second polyvinyl butyral layer interposed between the diffuser and the second glass layer.

[00136] In accordance with an embodiment, a vehicle is provided that includes a body, a light source in the body and a transparent structure coupled to the body, the transparent structure includes first and second transparent layers, and an interlayer interposed between the first and second transparent layers, the first transparent layer and the interlayer have openings, and the light source overlaps the openings.

[00137] In accordance with another embodiment, the vehicle includes transparent material that fills the openings in the first transparent layer and the interlayer, the light source is configured to emit light through the transparent material and the second transparent layer. [00138] In accordance with another embodiment, the transparent material includes molded polymer.

[00139] In accordance with another embodiment, the molded polymer is molded to an edge of the second transparent layer to reinforce the second transparent layer. [00140] In accordance with another embodiment, the transparent material includes a layer of transparent adhesive and a layer of transparent glass.

[00141] In accordance with an embodiment, a vehicle having an interior and an exterior, the vehicle is provided that includes a body that separates the interior from the exterior, a transparent structure includes first and second transparent layers, an interlayer interposed between the first and second transparent layers, and a light guide embedded in the interlayer, the light guide includes a mirror and a light source in the interior that is configured to emit light that reflects off of the mirror and into the light guide.

[00142] In accordance with another embodiment, the light guide includes a third transparent layer surrounded by a low index layer.

[00143] In accordance with another embodiment, the light guide includes a high index layer surrounded by the interlayer.

[00144] 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 vehicle, comprising: a body; a transparent structure coupled to the body, wherein the transparent structure comprises: first and second transparent layers, and a diffuser interposed between the first and second transparent layers; and a light component that operates through the diffuser.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the light component is a light-emitting component, and the first and second transparent layers are glass layers.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the transparent structure further comprises a first local masking layer between the first transparent layer and the diffuser, a second local masking layer between the diffuser and a first surface of the second transparent layer, and a third local masking layer on a second surface of the second transparent layer, opposite the first surface.

4. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the transparent structure further comprises an interlayer between the first and second transparent layers, the interlayer has tinted portions, the interlayer has a transparent window between the tinted portions, and the light-emitting component emits light through the transparent window.

5. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the transparent structure further comprises a filter that overlaps the light-emitting component.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the light-emitting component emits light at given visible wavelengths, the filter transmits the given visible wavelengths, and the filter absorbs wavelengths other than the given visible wavelengths.

7. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the light-emitting component emits light at infrared wavelengths, the filter transmits infrared wavelengths, and the filter absorbs visible wavelengths.

8. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the light component is a light sensor.

9. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the transparent structure further comprises an adjustable tint layer, the adjustable tint layer overlaps the light component, and the adjustable tint layer is adjustable between a transparent mode and a non-transparent mode.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, further comprising: a controller that is configured to place the adjustable tint layer into the transparent mode when the light component is on and to place the adjustable tint layer into the non-transparent mode when the light component is off.

11. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the diffuser comprises a surface diffuser having surface texture that scatters light emitted by the light component.

12. The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the surface texture is formed on a surface of one of the first transparent layer or the second transparent layer.

13. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the transparent structure further comprises: a first interlayer interposed between the diffuser and the first transparent layer; and a second interlayer interposed between the diffuser and the second transparent layer.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the diffuser comprises a bulk diffuser layer that includes particles in a bulk material.

15. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the light component comprises a light- emitting component, and the transparent structure further comprises: a louver film that overlaps the light component.

16. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the transparent structure is paint wrapped to match an appearance of the body.

17. A transparent structure, comprising: first and second transparent layers; a diffuser interposed between the first and second transparent layers; a first interlayer interposed between the diffuser and the first transparent layer; and a second interlayer interposed between the diffuser and the second transparent layer.

18. The transparent structure of claim 17, wherein the first and second transparent layers comprise glass, and wherein the first and second interlayers bond the first and second transparent layers.

19. The transparent structure of claim 18, further comprising: a first local masking layer interposed between the first transparent layer and the first interlayer; and a second local masking layer interposed between the second interlayer and the second transparent layer.

20. The transparent structure of claim 18, further comprising: a filter between the first and second transparent layers, wherein the filter transmits infrared light and blocks visible light.

21. The transparent structure of claim 18, further comprising: an adjustable tint layer between the first and second transparent layers.

22. A glass window, comprising: a first glass layer; a second glass layer; and a diffuser interposed between the first and second glass layers.

23. The glass window of claim 22, further comprising: a first polyvinyl butyral layer interposed between the diffuser and the first glass layer; and a second polyvinyl butyral layer interposed between the diffuser and the second glass layer.

24. A vehicle, comprising: a body; a light source in the body; and a transparent structure coupled to the body, wherein the transparent structure comprises: first and second transparent layers, and an interlayer interposed between the first and second transparent layers, wherein the first transparent layer and the interlayer have openings, and the light source overlaps the openings.

25. The vehicle of claim 24, further comprising: transparent material that fills the openings in the first transparent layer and the interlayer, wherein the light source is configured to emit light through the transparent material and the second transparent layer.

26. The vehicle of claim 25, wherein the transparent material comprises molded polymer.

27. The vehicle of claim 26, wherein the molded polymer is molded to an edge of the second transparent layer to reinforce the second transparent layer.

28. The vehicle of claim 26, wherein the transparent material comprises a layer of transparent adhesive and a layer of transparent glass.

29. A vehicle having an interior and an exterior, the vehicle comprising: a body that separates the interior from the exterior; a transparent structure comprising: first and second transparent layers, an interlayer interposed between the first and second transparent layers, and a light guide embedded in the interlayer, wherein the light guide comprises a mirror; and a light source in the interior that is configured to emit light that reflects off of the mirror and into the light guide.

30. The vehicle of claim 29, wherein the light guide comprises a third transparent layer surrounded by a low index layer.

31. The vehicle of claim 29, wherein the light guide comprises a high index layer surrounded by the interlayer.