Display window and assembly

• US 20020085131A1
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conversant Wireless Licensing S.à.r.l. (f/k/a Core Wireless Licensing S.a.r.l.) (MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management))
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Sladen, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,113,232 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/16
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133615 Edge-illuminating devices, i.e. illuminating from the side
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133616 Front illuminating devices

Abstract

A display window for placement in registration with a display is disclosed. The display is viewable through the window. A first surface of the window is for exposure to a user, and a second surface of the window is for placement adjacent the display. The second surface is provided with a grating to distribute light from an associated source of illumination in the direction of the display. Also disclosed is a display assembly and a portable telephone.

Claims

1. A display window for placement in registration with a display so that the display is viewable through the window, wherein a first surface of the window is for exposure to a user, and a second surface of the window is for placement adjacent the display, the second surface being provided with a grating to distribute light from an associated source of illumination in the direction of the display.

2. A display window as claimed in claim 1 wherein the display window is for use with a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).

3. A display window as claimed in claim 1 wherein the grating is in the form of a surface comprising a plurality of triangular projections.

4. A display window as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first surface of the display window is provided with a toughened coating.

5. A display window as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first surface of the display window is provided with an anti-reflective coating.

6. A display window as claimed in claim 1 wherein the window comprises a polycarbonate material.

7. A display assembly comprising:

a display;

an illumination source; and

a window disposed adjacent the display, and through which the display is viewable, wherein a surface of the window facing the display is provided with a grating for distributing light from the illumination source in the direction of the display.

8. A display assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the display is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).

10. A display assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the illumination source is one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

11. A display assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the LCD is operable in reflective mode.

12. A display assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the grating comprises a plurality of grooves.

14. A portable telephone as claimed in claim 13 wherein the housing is a front cover of the telephone.

15. A portable telephone as claimed in claim 13 wherein the window is integrally formed with the housing.

9. A display assembly as claimed in 7 wherein the illumination source is disposed between the display window and the display.

13. A portable telephone comprising:

a housing;

a light source; and

a display,

wherein the housing comprises a window with first and second surfaces, wherein the first surface defines an exterior surface of the portable telephone and the second surface, which faces the display, is provided with a grating for distributing light from the light source onto the display.