Abstract:
A vehicle display system is disclosed. The system comprises an electro-optic device configured to switch between a mirror state and a light-transmissive state. The electro-optic device comprises a first substrate and a second substrate forming a cavity. The cavity is configured to retain an electro-optic medium that is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. The system further comprises a substantially transparent display disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device. The electro-optic device is converted to the darkened state when the substantially transparent display is emitting light.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/341,928, filed on May 26, 2016, entitled “WAVEGUIDE MIRROR DISPLAY SYSTEM,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to an emissive display system and, more particularly, an emissive display system having an electro-optic device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    Electro-optic assemblies are being used in various vehicular and building applications, e.g., within rearview display devices and variably transmissive windows. Use of these assemblies in various applications can be limited by cost, aesthetic and functional considerations. Accordingly, new electro-optic assembly designs, configurations and assemblies, along with methods of making them, are needed particularly in view of reducing material and processing costs, improving aesthetics, and/or enhancing functionality. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle display system is disclosed. The system comprises an electro-optic device comprising a first substantially transparent substrate, a second substantially transparent substrate and an electro-optic medium. The first substantially transparent substrate has first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof. At least one of the first and second surfaces comprises a first electrically conductive layer. The second substantially transparent substrate has third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof. At least one of the third and fourth surfaces comprises a second electrically conductive layer. The electro-optic medium is disposed in a cavity formed between the first substantially transparent substrate and the second substantially transparent substrate. The electro-optic medium is variably transmissive. 
         [0005]    The system further comprises a substantially transparent display disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device and at least one display driver configured to display image data on the substantially transparent display. A controller is in communication with the electro-optic device and the at least one display driver. The controller is operable to control a transmission state of the electro-optic device between a transparent state and an opaque state, and control the display driver to display the image data on the substantially transparent display. 
         [0006]    According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle display system is disclosed. The system comprises an electro-optic device comprising a first substantially transparent substrate, a second substantially transparent substrate and an electro-optic medium. The first substantially transparent substrate has first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof. At least one of the first and second surfaces comprises a first electrically conductive layer. The second substantially transparent substrate has third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof. At least one of the third and fourth surfaces comprises a second electrically conductive layer. The electro-optic medium is disposed in a cavity formed between the first substantially transparent substrate and the second substantially transparent substrate. The electro-optic medium is variably transmissive. The system further comprises a substantially transparent display disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device. The electro-optic device is configured to convert a transmission state of the electro-optic device between a transparent state and an opaque state. 
         [0007]    According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle display apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an electrochromic device comprising a reflective element. The reflective element is configured to reflect a reflected view of a rearward directed field of view from the vehicle. The apparatus further comprises a substantially transparent display disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device and at least one display driver. The display driver is configured to display image data on the substantially transparent display. The apparatus further comprises a controller in communication with the electro-optic device and the at least one display driver. The controller is operable to control the electro-optic element to selectively control a mirror state and the substantially transparent state of the electrochromic device in response to the transmission state of the electro-optic element and control the display driver to display the image data on the substantially transparent display. 
         [0008]    These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosure will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. It will also be understood that features of each embodiment disclosed herein may be used in conjunction with, or as a replacement for, features of the other embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a projected view of a passenger compartment of a vehicle comprising a display system; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  is a front view of a display assembly according to one aspect of the disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2B  is a side cross-sectional view of the display assembly of  FIG. 2A , in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a detailed cross-sectional view of a display assembly in a display state, in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  is a detailed cross-sectional view of a display assembly in a transparent or mirror state, in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3C  is a detailed cross-sectional view of a display assembly in a hybrid mirror display state, in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  is a front view of a display assembly demonstrating a configuration of a display driver for a waveguide of the display assembly; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4B  is a front view of a display assembly demonstrating a configuration of a display driver for a waveguide of the display assembly; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4C  is a front view of a display assembly demonstrating a configuration of a display driver for a waveguide of the display assembly; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a display system in accordance with the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to an electro-optic device. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements. 
         [0021]    In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , an emissive display system  10  is depicted including a substantially transparent display. The substantially transparent display may correspond to a waveguide display  12  or other emissive display device. The emissive display system  10  may be operable to change operating states from a display state  14  as demonstrated in  FIG. 3A  to a transparent state  16  demonstrated in  FIG. 3B . In the display state  14 , a viewing surface  18  of the display system  10  may be configured to project image data outward toward a viewer  20 . In the transparent state  16 , the display  12  may be substantially transparent allowing a reflective surface  22  to function as a mirror device  24 . As further discussed herein, the display  12  may provide for various combinations of displaying image data and/or light reflected demonstrating a scene rearward of a vehicle  28 . For example, the display  12  may comprise an optic device being configured to provide various levels of transmission between the display state  14  and the transparent state  16 . 
         [0023]    As described herein, the term substantially transparent, as used to describe the waveguide display  12  or waveguide display element and other components discussed herein, may describe a relative transmissivity of an object configured to transmit light therethrough. For example, the object may be considered substantially transparent if the element (e.g., the waveguide display  12 ) allows for a majority of light impinging upon a surface to pass through the object. Accordingly, a substantially transparent element may be configured to efficiently transmit one or more wavelengths of light therethrough such that the light entering one side is visible on an opposite side. In an exemplary embodiment, the substantially transparent element may correspond to the waveguide display  12  configured to transmit greater than 50% of light received. In some embodiments, the waveguide display  12  may be configured to transmit greater than 60%, 80%, or 90%. 
         [0024]    In an exemplary embodiment, the display system  10  may be configured to function as a rearview display  26  for the vehicle  28 . In the display state  14 , the waveguide display  12  may display image data on the viewing surface  18 . The image data may be captured by one or more imagers in communication with the display system  10 . Such imagers are further discussed in reference to  FIG. 5  and may be configured to capture image data of various fields of view of a passenger compartment  30  and/or various views of scenes proximate the vehicle  28 . In this way, the display system  10  may selectively display the image data, a reflected scene, or a combination of the image data and the reflected scene. The combination of the reflected scene and the image data superimposed over or otherwise combined may provide for a hybrid or augmented display of the reflected scene and image data or graphic data, which may be utilized to enhance the reflected scene. 
         [0025]    A display assembly  32  of the display system  10  may be implemented as an interior rearview display  26 , a side-mirror display, and/or various other mirrored devices. Though discussed in reference to an automotive vehicle, the display system  10  may be utilized for various applications including, but not limited to, transit vehicles, nautical vessels, aircraft, etc. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments may be combined or modified to suit various applications without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the display assembly  32  may be implemented as a heads-up display  33 , which may be affixed or laminated to a windscreen  35  of the vehicle  28 . In such a configuration, the electro-optic device  42  discussed herein may be configured to be substantially transparent. Such a configuration may utilize substantially transparent electrodes corresponding to the first electrode  58  and the second electrode  60 . Such electrodes may comprise substantially transparent conductive materials, such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and other similar materials. In this configuration, the controller of the electro-optic device  42  may be configured to selectively control the transmittance of the electro-optic device  42  to control a contrast between the windscreen  35  and the display assembly  32 . In this way, the controller may control the transmittance of the electro-optic device  42  to provide a contrast to improve a visibility of the image data and/or graphics displayed on the viewing surface  18 . 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the heads-up display  33  may correspond to a standalone device that may be mounted or attached to a dashboard or console of the vehicle  28 . In such embodiments, the heads-up display  33  may correspond to a pop-up display that may be selectively extended or retracted from the dashboard. In operation, the heads-up display  33  may be substantially transparent depending on an operating configuration controlled by the controller. Accordingly, the controller may be configured to selectively adjust a transmittance or transparency of the electro-optic device  42  to adjust a contrast of the image data and/or graphics displayed on the heads-up display  33 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , a front view and a side, cross-sectional view of the display assembly  32  are shown, respectively. In some embodiments, the disclosure may provide for various embodiments of the display system  10  operable to selectively function as a digital image display in the display state  14  and a mirror device  24  in the transparent state  16 . The waveguide display  12  may be substantially transparent and comprise at least one waveguide  34 . For example, the at least one waveguide  34  may correspond to a plurality of waveguides  34 , which may be configured to display red, green, and/or blue image data. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, a first waveguide  34   a  of the plurality of waveguides  34  may be configured to display both red and blue while a second waveguide  34   b  may be configured to display green. In such embodiments, the at least one waveguide  34  may correspond to two waveguides. In some embodiments, the at least one waveguide  34  may be configured to display red, green, and blue from a single waveguide (e.g., the first waveguide  34   a ). In such embodiments, the total number of waveguides may vary based on the number required to display the image data. Though three waveguides (e.g.,  34   a ,  34   b , and  34   c ) are demonstrated in a number of exemplary embodiments, the number of waveguides may vary depending on the particular combination of colors emitted through the at least one waveguide  34 . Accordingly, the disclosure provides for a flexible solution that may comprise various configurations to suit a desired application. 
         [0030]    In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of waveguides  34  may comprise a first waveguide  34   a , a second waveguide  34   b , and a third waveguide  34   c . The plurality of waveguides  34  may be configured to direct image data through the viewing surface  18 . The waveguide display  12  may further comprise a plurality of display drivers  36  configured to project image data into each waveguide of the plurality of waveguides  34 . Each of the display drivers  36  may comprise a microdisplay, laser module, beam expansion, collimator, and relay optics configured to project the image data. Further details regarding the waveguide display  12  are discussed in reference to  FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C . 
         [0031]    A mirror element  38  may be disposed in front of or behind the waveguide display  12  relative to a viewing direction  40  of the viewer  20 . The mirror element  38  may comprise an electro-optic device  42  configured to vary a reflectivity in response to an applied voltage or control signal communicated from the controller. The mirror element  38  may include a first (or front) element  50  and a second (or rear) element  52 . The first element  50  and the second element  52  may be sealably bonded and spaced-apart relation to define a chamber  54 . Front element  50  has a front surface  50   a  and a rear surface  50   b . The rear element  52  has a front surface  52   a  and a rear surface  52   b . For purposes of further reference, the front surface  50   a  of the front element  50  may be referred to as the first surface, and the rear surface  50   b  of the front element  50  may be referred to as a second surface. The front surface  52   a  of the rear element  52  may be referred to as a third surface, and the rear surface  52   b  of rear element  52  may be referred to as a fourth surface. In an exemplary embodiment, both elements  50  and  52  may correspond to substantially transparent substrates sealably bonded via a seal member  56 . In some embodiments, the waveguide  34   c  may be utilized as or form the first element  50  or the second element  52 . 
         [0032]    The mirror element  38  may include a first electrode  58  carried on one of the second surface  50   b  and the third surface  52   a . A second electrode  60  may be disposed on one of the second surface  50   b  and third surface  52   a . The first electrode  58  may comprise one or more layers and may function as a color suppression coating. The second electrode  60  may be reflective, transflective, or comprise a reflector layer  62  on the fourth surface  52   b . In such embodiments, the second electrode  60  may be substantially transparent. In an exemplary embodiment, the second electrode  60  is reflective or transflective and configured to reflect a scene rearward of the vehicle  28 . 
         [0033]    The chamber  54  formed by the first element  50  and the second element  52  may be configured to retain an electro-optic medium  64  configured to vary in transmittance in response to the voltage received from a controller via the first electrode  58  and the second electrode  60 . The electro-optic medium  64  may correspond to an electro-chromic medium. Examples of electro-optic mirror constructions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,407, entitled “AUTOMATIC REARVIEW MIRROR INCORPORATING LIGHT PIPE,” issued Jan. 18, 1995, to F. T. Bauer et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,397, entitled “OUTSIDE AUTOMATIC REARVIEW MIRROR FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES,” issued Sep. 5, 1995, to W. L. Tonar; U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,822, entitled “ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM,” issued Sep. 19, 1995, to J. H. Bechtel et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,818,625, entitled “ELECTROCHROMIC REARVIEW MIRROR INCORPORATING A THIRD SURFACE METAL REFLECTOR,” issued Oct. 6, 1998, to Jeffrey A. Forgette et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,157,480, entitled “IMPROVED SEAL FOR ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES,” filed on Dec. 5, 2000. Each of these patents and the patent application are commonly assigned with the present invention and the disclosures of each, including the references contained therein, are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
         [0034]    In an exemplary embodiment, the electro-optic device  42  may be color neutral. For example, the electro-optic device  42  may correspond to a color neutral electro-chromic element. The color neutral element may darken in a gray-scale, which may prevent a discoloration of the image data displayed on the viewing surface  18 . An example of a color neutral electro-chromic element is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,987, entitled “ELECTROCHROMIC MEDIUM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A PRE-SELECTED COLOR,” issued Feb. 1, 2000, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C , the side, cross-sectional views of the display assembly  32  are demonstrated in the display state  14 , the transparent state  16  (e.g. a transparent configuration) or mirror state  76  (e.g. a mirror configuration), and a combined mirror-display state  80 . The combined mirror-display state  80  may correspond to a hybrid display configuration or augmented display of the reflected scene and image data or graphic data, which may be utilized to enhance the reflected scene. As discussed previously, in some embodiments, the waveguide display  12  may comprise at least one or a plurality of waveguides  34 . The plurality of waveguides  34  may correspond to a first waveguide  34   a , a second waveguide  34   b , and a third waveguide  34   c . The first waveguide  34   a  may be configured to receive a first image data from at least one display driver  36 . The number of display drivers  36  may correspond to the number of waveguides  34 . For example, the first waveguide  34   a  may be configured to receive a first image data from a first display driver  36   a , the second waveguide  34   b  may be configured to receive a second image data from a second display driver  36   b , and the third waveguide  34   c  may be configured to receive a third image data from a third display driver  36   c.    
         [0036]    As described in reference to the first display driver  36   a , the second display driver  36   b , and the third display driver  36 , each of the display drivers  36  may be configured to project a different color of light. However, as previously discussed, the number of waveguides  34  may correspond to one or more. In such embodiments, the number of display drivers  36  may similarly vary and may accordingly be operable to emit one or more colors of light (e.g., red and blue, red, green and blue, etc.) into the at least one waveguide  34 . Additionally, the at least one display driver  36  may be configured to comprise separate display drivers  36  for each color transmitted. For example, the first display driver  36   a  may be configured to project the first image data corresponding to red light, the second display driver  36   b  may be configured to project the second image data corresponding to green light, and the third display driver  36   c  may be configured to project the third image data corresponding to blue light. 
         [0037]    Further details describing how light can be projected into a waveguide are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,842, entitled, “APPARATUS FACILITATING EYE-CONTACT VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS” assigned to Kaiser Optical Systems, Inc., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The display drivers  36  may comprise a diffractive element at the input to each waveguide  34 . The diffractive element may comprise a volume holographic element or a grating. In some embodiments, the grating may comprise a Bragg grating. The light corresponding to the image data or graphical content projected into each of the waveguides  34  may be collimated by a collimator in order to maintain image content as it propagates along the viewing surface  18 . By utilizing this process, the image data display on the viewing surface  18  may appear to be focused at infinity. The projection of the image data having an appearance of being focused at infinity may limit a perceived eye strain of the viewer  20  due to accommodation between a distance of the display assembly  32  and the far-off objects typically viewed while operating the vehicle  28 . 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C , the controller may be operable to selectively activate the display assembly  32  in a plurality of states. In a first state (e.g., the display state  14 ), the display assembly  32  may be configured to function as a display screen configured to display image data. The display state  14  is demonstrated in  FIG. 3A  and may comprise the controller activating one or more of the display drivers  36  to display image data, while controlling the transmittance of the electro-optic device  42  to limit or block the transmission of a received light  82  from impinging upon the mirror element  38 . 
         [0039]    For example, in the display state  14 , the controller may control the transmittance of the electro-optic device  42  to darken the electro-optic device  42  in response to a transmission control signal or voltage level. In this way, a high level of contrast may be achieved to provide a dark background over which the waveguides  34  may display the image data as generated light  84 . In an exemplary embodiment, the electro-optic device  42  may darken or increase in opacity such that the mirror element  38  may be less than 4% reflective. In some embodiments, the electro-optic  42  device may limit the effective reflectance of the mirror element to less than 2%. The contrast of the electro-optic device  42  may ensure that the generated light  84  is clearly visible without displaying the received light  82  from the mirror element  38 . As discussed herein, the display state  14  may provide for the display of image data and may be received by one or more imagers in communication with the display system  10  to assist with the operation of the vehicle  28 . 
         [0040]    In a second state (e.g., the transparent state  16  or mirror state  76 ), the controller may control the transmittance of the electro-optic device  42  to allow the received light  82  to pass through the electro-optic medium  64 . In this configuration, the controller may further deactivate, the display drivers  36  such that the waveguides  34  are substantially transparent. Accordingly, the received light  82  may be transmitted through the waveguides  34  and reach the mirror element  38  significantly unabated. The received light  82  may be reflected from the mirror element  38  as reflected light  86 . In this configuration, the reflected light  86  may be visible to an operator or passenger of the vehicle such that the scene rearward of a vehicle  28  may be visible similar to a conventional rearview mirror. 
         [0041]    In a third state, the display system  10  may be configured to function in the combined mirror-display state  80 . In such a state, the controller may be operable to control the transmittance of the electro-optic device  42  to allow the received light  82  to pass through the electro-optic medium  64 , similar to the transparent state  16 . In this configuration, the received light  82  may be transmitted through the waveguides  34 , and the reflected light  86  may be visible to an operator of the vehicle  28 . Additionally, the controller may be configured to activate one or more of the waveguides  34  of the waveguide display  12  to superimpose graphics or image data as the generated light  84  over the reflected light  86  demonstrates the rearward directed scene. The graphics and/or image data may correspond to various information configured to assist in operation of the vehicle  28  as further discussed in reference to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2A, 4A, 4B, and 4C , various configurations of the display system  10  are shown demonstrating a configuration of a display driver for the waveguide display  12 . In  FIG. 2A , the display drivers  36  are shown extending along an upper portion  94  of the display assembly  32 . In  FIG. 4A , the display drivers  36  are shown extending along an upper portion  94  and a lower portion  96  of the display assembly  32 . The upper portion  94  and lower portion  96  may correspond to horizontal perimeter portions of the display assembly  32  relative to the orientation of the display assembly  32  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , at least one of the display drivers  36  and/or various corresponding drive circuits or hardware may be distributed along the upper portion  94  and the lower portion  96  to provide a distributed edge mounted display. 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 4B , the display drivers  36  are shown extending along a first side portion  98  and a second side portion  100  of the display assembly  32 . In  FIG. 4C , the display drivers  36  are shown extending along the second side portion  100  of the display assembly  32 . The first side  98  and the second side  100  may correspond to vertical perimeter portions of the display assembly  32  relative to the orientation of the display assembly  32  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 4C , at least one of the display drivers  36  and/or various corresponding drive circuits or hardware may be distributed along the first portion  98  and the second portion  100  to provide a distributed edge mounted display. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a block diagram of the display system  10  is shown. As discussed herein, a controller  102  of the display system  10  may be in communication with at least one imager  104 . In some embodiments, the imager  104  may correspond to a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), for example, a CMOS active-pixel sensor (APS) or a charge-coupled device (CCD). In this configuration, the controller  102  may be operable to process the image data as supplied in analog or digital form from the imager  104 . 
         [0045]    The controller  102  may further be operable to output the image data captured by the imager  104  on the waveguide display  12 . The waveguide display  12  may comprise the plurality of waveguides  34  configured to direct image data over the display window. The waveguide display  12  may further comprise a plurality of display drivers  36  configured to project image data and/or graphics into each waveguide of the plurality of waveguides  34 . Each of the display drivers  36  may comprise a microdisplay, laser module, beam expansion, collimator, and relay optics configured to project the image data. Additional information regarding a waveguide display  12  is discussed in U.S. Pat. Application Publication No. 2014/0140654 A1, entitled, “TRANSPARENT WAVEGUIDE DISPLAY,” which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0046]    The controller  102  may further be operable to control the electro-optic device  42  to control the reflectance of the received light  82 . The electro-optic device  42  may comprise an electro-optic medium  64  configured to vary in transmittance in response to the transmission control signal or voltage level received from the controller  102  via the first electrode  58  and the second electrode  60 . The electro-optic medium  64  may correspond to an electro-chromic medium. The controller  102  may comprise a processor  106  operable to process the image data as supplied in analog or digital format from the imager  104 . In various embodiments, the processor  106  may be implemented as a plurality of processors, a multicore processor, or any combination of processors, circuits, and peripheral processing devices. 
         [0047]    The controller  102  may further comprise a memory  108 . The memory  108  may comprise various forms of memory, for example, random access memory (RAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), and other forms of memory configured to store digital information. The memory  108  may be configured to store the image data from the imager  104  for processing. Processing the image data may comprise scaling and cropping, as well as rendering graphical data for display on the waveguide display  12 . In some embodiments, the memory  108  may further be configured to store additional programming information including method and processes for operation of the display system  10 . 
         [0048]    The controller  102  may further be in communication with a plurality of inputs from various vehicle systems, for example, a speed input  110  and a vehicle bus  112 . The speed input  110  may provide a signal communicating a speed of the vehicle  28  via a speedometer or any device operable to measure and communicate data corresponding to the speed of a vehicle  28 . The vehicle bus  112  may be implemented using any suitable standard communication bus, such as a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, a Local Interconnect Network (LIN) bus, etc. The vehicle bus  112  may be configured to provide a variety of additional information to the controller  102 . Such information may correspond to one or more vehicle states or a status indicator or indication, for example a gear selection, passenger occupancy, a headlight activation, etc., which may be utilized by the controller  102  to control the display  12  of the image data and/or the transmission state of the electro-optic device  42 . 
         [0049]    It will be appreciated that embodiments of the disclosure described herein may be comprised of one or more conventional processors and unique stored program instructions that control one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of an image sensor system and method thereof, as described herein. The non-processor circuits may include, but, are not limited to, signal drivers, clock circuits, power source circuits, and/or user input devices. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used. Thus, the methods and means for these functions have been described herein. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation. 
         [0050]    It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above described components may be combined in additional or alternative ways not explicitly described herein. Modifications of the various implementations of the disclosure will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who apply the teachings of the disclosure. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.