US4190832A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polarized windshield indicia reflection display system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-04-18
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Granted: 1980-02-26
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Expires: 1998-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A windshield indicia display system utilizing a liquid crystal display in conjunction with a polarizing filter element and semi-transparent reflective tape element to form a unique optical system capable of projecting in digital format a virtual image into the visual field of the operator. This virtual image, focused at infinity, utilizes the unmodified windshield as a remote polarizer for this unique optical system. Electronic means are provided to convert vehicle speed or other indicia into a decimal format capable of digital display by the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Sailor Mohler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:45
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/1313; B; B60; B60K; B60K35/00; B60K35/20; G01; G01D; G01D13/00; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/0101; G02B2027/0118; G02B5/00; G02B5/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A windshield indicia display system comprising: multi-segment liquid crystal display means positionally located adjacent said windshield in a manner allowing external light to pass through said windshield for impingement upon and through said liquid crystal display means; a polarizing filter element located adjacent said liquid crystal display means, said light passing through said display means and said filter element being filtered; and, means for reflecting said light initially passing through said liquid crystal display means and said polarizing filter element in a substantially reversed path displacement, said reflected light passing through said polarizing filter element and said multi-segment liquid crystal display means for reflection from said windshield, said reflecting means and said polarizing filter element being positioned in substantially parallel plane relation each to the other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A windshield indicia display system comprising: multi-segment liquid crystal display means positionally located adjacent said windshield in a manner allowing external light to pass through said windshield for impingement upon and through said liquid crystal display means; a polarizing filter element located adjacent said liquid crystal display means, said light passing through said display means and said filter element being filtered; and, means for reflecting said light initially passing through said liquid crystal display means and said polarizing filter element in a substantially reversed path displacement, said reflected light passing through said polarizing filter element and said multi-segment liquid crystal display means for reflection from said windshield, said reflecting means and said polarizing filter element being positioned in substantially parallel plane relation each to the other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The display system of claim 1 further including: a light source element located adjacent said polarizing filter element, said liquid crystal display means, and said reflecting means for generating light to pass through said polarizing filter element and said liquid crystal display means for impingement on said windshield.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The display system of claim 1 wherein said reflecting means includes a semi-transparent reflective tape element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The display system of claim 2 wherein said reflecting means includes a semi-transparent reflective tape element positioned adjacent said polarizing filter element, said light source element being positioned with respect to said tape element such that light eminating from said light source element passes through said tape element, said polarizing filter element, and said liquid crystal display means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The display system of claim 1 wherein said liquid crystal display means is of spiral construction wherein unenergized segments provide substantially 90° rotation of polarization and wherein energized segments provide substantially 0° rotation of polarization to light passing therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The display system of claim 1 wherein said multisegment liquid crystal display means includes electrical drive means for energizing said segments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The display system of claim 6 wherein said electrical drive means includes means for electrically coding information to be displayed upon said windshield.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said electrical coding means includes means for generating a stream of pulses, the frequency of which are a function of said information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
120 words
A windshield indicia display system comprising: multi-segment liquid crystal display means positionally located adjacent said windshield in a manner allowing external light to pass through said windshield for impingement upon and through said liquid crystal display means; means for reflecting said light passing through said liquid crystal display means in a substantially reverse path displacement, said reflecting means including a polarizing filter element for substantially blocking polarized light vector components in a first direction and transmitting polarized light vector components in a second direction; and, means for electrically energizing selected display segments in accordance with indicia to be displayed upon said windshield whereby said reflected light passing through said liquid crystal display will be polarized in accordance with said indicia.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 words
A windshield indicia display system comprising: multi-segment liquid crystal display means positionally located adjacent said windshield in a manner allowing external light to pass through said windshield for impingement upon and through said liquid crystal display means; means for reflecting said light passing through said liquid crystal display means in a substantially reverse path displacement, said reflecting means including a polarizing filter element for substantially blocking polarized light vector components in a first direction and transmitting polarized light vector components in a second direction; and, means for electrically energizing selected display segments in accordance with indicia to be displayed upon said windshield whereby said reflected light passing through said liquid crystal display will be polarized in accordance with said indicia.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The display system of claim 9 further including: a light source element located adjacent said liquid crystal display means for generating light to pass through said liquid crystal display means for impingement on said windshield.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The display system of claim 9 further including a polarizing filter element adjacent said liquid crystal display.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The display system of claim 9 wherein said energizing means includes: a display drive oscillator; and, at least one liquid crystal driver.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The display system of claim 12 further including: at least one decimal decoder coupled to said liquid crystal driver whereby indicia to be displayed are converted to appropriate decimal form and transmitted to said driver.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The display system of claim 13 wherein indicia to be displayed are supplied to said decimal decoder in binary form.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The display system of claim 13 wherein indicia to be displayed are supplied in binary coded demical form.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The display system of claim 9 further including: means coupled to said energizing means for encoding in format compatible with said energizing means, indicia to be displayed upon said windshield.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The display system of claim 16 wherein: said encoding means produces a signal having digital pulses related to the speed of a vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-02-25 | 1983-08-27 | 1984-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-02-25 | 1987-08-27 | 1988-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-02-25 | 1991-08-27 | 1992-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |