Light control devices and methods of making same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A collimating device comprising:
- a first transparent substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the first transparent substrate having an index of refraction;
a plurality of wave guide structures provided in the first transparent substrate, the plurality of wave guide structures having an index of refraction different than the index of refraction of the first transparent substrate, each wave guide structure having a base associated with the first surface of the first transparent substrate;
a second transparent substrate having a first surface and a second surface wherein the first surface of the second transparent substrate is facing the first surface of the first transparent substrate, the second transparent substrate having an index of refraction; and
a plurality of exit control structures provided in the second transparent substrate, the plurality of exit control structures having an index of refraction different than the index of refraction of the second transparent substrate, each exit control structure having a base associated with the first surface of the second transparent substrate;
wherein the first surface of the first transparent substrate and the first surface of the second transparent substrate face each other such that each wave guide structure is generally aligned with each exit control structure thereby forming a collimating structure, wherein light emanating from a first direction facing the second surface of the first transparent substrate is collimated as it exits adjacent collimating structures.
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Abstract
A light control device is disclosed that includes a two film construction, each film having a plurality of light reflecting regions. For example, the light absorbing elements can be a series of grooves or column-like indentations in the films that are filled or coated with a light reflecting material having a lower index of refraction than that of the films. The two films can be adjacently disposed so that their respective light reflecting regions form a plurality of light reflecting elements that extend along the thickness direction of the device.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A collimating device comprising:
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a first transparent substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the first transparent substrate having an index of refraction;
a plurality of wave guide structures provided in the first transparent substrate, the plurality of wave guide structures having an index of refraction different than the index of refraction of the first transparent substrate, each wave guide structure having a base associated with the first surface of the first transparent substrate;
a second transparent substrate having a first surface and a second surface wherein the first surface of the second transparent substrate is facing the first surface of the first transparent substrate, the second transparent substrate having an index of refraction; and
a plurality of exit control structures provided in the second transparent substrate, the plurality of exit control structures having an index of refraction different than the index of refraction of the second transparent substrate, each exit control structure having a base associated with the first surface of the second transparent substrate;
wherein the first surface of the first transparent substrate and the first surface of the second transparent substrate face each other such that each wave guide structure is generally aligned with each exit control structure thereby forming a collimating structure, wherein light emanating from a first direction facing the second surface of the first transparent substrate is collimated as it exits adjacent collimating structures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A light control device comprising:
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a first light transmissive film comprising a first plurality of light reflecting regions extending into a surface thereof; and
a second light transmissive film disposed adjacent the first light transmissive film and comprising a second plurality of light reflecting regions extending into a surface thereof, wherein the first plurality of light reflecting regions and the second plurality of light reflecting regions are relatively positioned such that light entering the device is collimated as it exits the device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A process for making a light control device comprising the steps of:
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forming a first light transmissive film having a first plurality of indentations extending into a surface thereof;
forming a second light transmissive film having a second plurality of indentations extending into a surface thereof;
rendering the first and second plurality of indentations light reflecting; and
adjacently disposing the first and second light transmissive films, wherein the first and second plurality of indentations are relatively positioned such that light entering the device is collimated after it exits the device. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. An LCD display comprising:
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a backlight assembly;
a collimating device provided adjacent the backlight assembly, the collimating device including;
a transparent substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the transparent substrate having an index of refraction;
a plurality of wave guide structures provided in the transparent substrate adjacent the first surface of the transparent substrate, the plurality of wave guide structures having an index of refraction different than the index of refraction of the transparent substrate, each wave guide structure having a base;
a plurality of exit control structures provided in the transparent substrate adjacent the second surface of the transparent substrate, the plurality of exit control structures having an index of refraction different than the index of refraction of the transparent substrate, each exit control structure having a base, the plurality of wave guide structures being generally aligned with the plurality of exit control structures such that each respective wave guide structure base is associated with each respective exit control structure base; and
a liquid crystal suspension containing pixels therein; and
a reflective layer adjacent the pixels, the reflective layer having apertures therein. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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35. An LCD display comprising:
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an LCD module;
a backlight assembly;
a wave guide provided adjacent the backlight assembly, the wave guide including;
a transparent substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the transparent substrate having an index of refraction, the transparent substrate permitting light arriving from a first direction to enter the first surface, transmit through the transparent substrate, and exit the second surface;
a plurality of wave guide structures provided in the transparent substrate adjacent the first surface of the transparent substrate, the plurality of wave guide structures having an index of refraction different than the index of refraction of the transparent substrate; and
a reflective layer provided in the LCD module separately and distinctly from the wave guide;
the reflective layer configured to reflect light arriving from a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction, wherein the sum of the percentage of light being transmitted relative to the amount of light coming from said first direction and the percentage of light being reflected relative to the amount of light coming from said second direction, is greater than 100 percent.
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Specification