Integrated modulator illumination

• US 20050195468A1
• Filed: 03/05/2004
• Published: 09/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snaptrack Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sampsell, Jeffrey B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,706,050 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/292
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/001 based on interference in an adjustable optical cavity interference filters G02B5/28; devices or arrangements using multiple reflections in spectrometry or monochromators G01J3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0043 provided on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0055 Reflecting element, sheet or layer

Abstract

A spatial light modulator includes an array of elements to modulate light in accordance with image data. The modulator has a display panel having first and second surfaces arranged adjacent to the array of elements such that the second surface is directly adjacent the array of elements to allow a viewer to view an image produced by modulation of light. The modulator may also include a light source to provide light to the display panel and illumination dots on the first surface of the display panel to reflect light from the source to the array of elements.

Claims

1. A spatial light modulator, comprising:

an array of display elements configured to modulate light in accordance with image data;

a display panel having first and second surfaces arranged adjacent to the array of display elements such that the second surface is directly adjacent the array of display elements configured to allow a viewer to view an image produced by modulation of light; and

reflective elements on the first surface of the display panel configured to reflect light to the array of display elements.

2. The spatial light modulator of claim 1, the display panel further comprising a transparent substrate, wherein the reflective elements reside on the transparent substrate.

3. The spatial light modulator of claim 1, the display panel further comprising a transparent substrate and a diffuser, wherein the diffuser is arranged on the first surface of the display panel, and wherein the reflective elements reside on an interface between the diffuser and the transparent substrate

4. The spatial light modulator of claim 3, the reflective elements further residing on the diffuser.

5. The spatial light modulator of claim 3, the reflective elements further residing on the substrate.

6. The spatial light modulator of claim 1, the display panel further comprising a transparent substrate and an antireflective film.

7. The spatial light modulator of claim 1, the modulator comprising a light source.

8. The spatial light modulator of claim 7, the light source further comprising a backlight.

9. The spatial light modulator of claim 7, the light source further comprising an edge light.

10. The spatial light modulator of claim 7, the light source further comprising a light source arranged so as to provide light directly to the display panel.

24. The spatial light modulator of claim 1, wherein the reflective elements comprise illumination dots.

11. A method of manufacturing a spatial light modulator, comprising:

providing a transparent substrate having a first and second surface;

applying a diffuser to the first surface of the transparent substrate;

manufacturing a spatial light modulator or the second surface of the transparent substrate; and

applying reflective elements to an interface between the transparent substrate and the diffuser.

12. The method of claim 11, the method further comprising applying reflective elements on the transparent substrate prior to manufacturing the spatial light modulator.

13. The method of claim 11, the method further comprising:

finishing the spatial light modulator after manufacturing the spatial light modulator; and

applying the diffuser to the fist surface or the transparent substrate after finishing the spatial light modulator.

14. The method of claim 11, applying reflective elements further comprising:

applying the reflective elements on the first surface of the transparent substrate after finishing the spatial light modulator; and

applying the diffuser after the reflective elements.

15. The method of claim 11, applying reflective elements further comprising:

supplying the diffuser;

applying the reflective elements to the diffuser; and

applying the diffuser with the reflective elements on the first surface of the transparent substrate.

16. The method of claim 15, supplying the diffuser being performed after finishing the spatial light modulator.

17. The method of claim 15, supplying the diffuser being performed in parallel with manufacturing and finishing the spatial light modulator.

18. The method of claim 11, applying the reflective elements further comprising depositing the reflective elements by screen-printing.

19. The method of claim 11, applying the reflective elements further comprising applying the reflective elements by lithography.

22. The method of claim 11, applying the reflective elements comprising applying the in reflective elements after manufacture of the spatial light modulator.

23. The method of claim 11, applying the reflective elements comprising applying the elements in a pattern selected from the group comprised of:

a regular pattern, a regular and varied pattern, and a regular, varied and dithered pattern.

20. The method of clam 1, applying the reflective elements further comprising applying the reflective elements by ink jet printing.

21. The method of clam 11, applying the reflective elements further comprising applying the reflective elements during manufacturing of the spatial light modulator.

25. A spatial light modulator, comprising:

means for modulating light in accordance with image data;

means for displaying an image produced by modulation of light, wherein said displaying means are located directly adjacent to said modulating means; and

means for reflecting light to the modulating means, wherein said reflecting means are located adjacent to said displaying means.

26. The spatial light modulator of claim 25, wherein the displaying means comprise means for diffusing light.

27. The spatial light modulator of claim 25, wherein the displaying means comprise means for inhibiting reflection of ambient light.

28. The spatial light modulator of claim 25, further comprising means for providing light to the displaying means.