US 12,030,436 B2
Vehicle lighting and display systems using switchable opaque film
Mark Larry, Macomb, MI (US); and Biaohe Guo, Northville, MI (US)
Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Jun. 12, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/208,393.
Application 18/208,393 is a division of application No. 16/742,217, filed on Jan. 14, 2020, granted, now 11,718,242.
Prior Publication US 2023/0339411 A1, Oct. 26, 2023
Int. Cl. B60R 11/02 (2006.01); B32B 17/10 (2006.01); B60Q 1/50 (2006.01); E06B 9/24 (2006.01); G09F 21/04 (2006.01); B60R 11/00 (2006.01); G02F 1/1334 (2006.01); G02F 1/1677 (2019.01)
CPC B60R 11/0229 (2013.01) [B32B 17/10036 (2013.01); B32B 17/10495 (2013.01); B32B 17/10504 (2013.01); B32B 17/10541 (2013.01); B60Q 1/50 (2013.01); E06B 9/24 (2013.01); G09F 21/0485 (2021.05); B60R 2011/0026 (2013.01); E06B 2009/2417 (2013.01); E06B 2009/2464 (2013.01); G02F 1/1334 (2013.01); G02F 1/1677 (2019.01); G02F 2201/44 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
forming a vehicle light configuration or a vehicle display configuration comprising a layered structure by bonding a transparent lighting source to a switchable opaque film;
connecting the transparent lighting source and the switchable opaque film to a control unit such that the switchable opaque film is electrically controlled to switch between an opaque state and a transparent state; and
independently controlling the switchable opaque film and the transparent lighting source based on a predetermined application for the vehicle light configuration or the vehicle display configuration.