LIGHT EXPANDING SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING A PLANAR LIGHT BEAM FROM POINT LIGHT SOURCES
First Claim
1. A light expanding system for producing collimated light for a display from point-like light sources, comprising:
- (a) a light pipe having first, second, and third surfaces, wherein;
the first and the second surfaces are substantially perpendicular; and
the third surface is opposite the second surface; and
(b) a plurality of microprisms positioned adjacent to the second surface of the light pipe, each microprism comprising;
a base surface that is adjacent and substantially parallel to the second surface of the light pipe; and
a light reflecting surface shaped so that light that entering the light pipe and contacting the light reflecting surface is reflected away from the microprism out of the light pipe through the third surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A light expanding system for converting light beams generated from point-like light sources into a collimated planar light beam is described herein. The light expanding system is especially suitable for backlighting a liquid crystal flat panel display or other such arrangement requiring backlighting with LEDs as the light source. According to an embodiment of the invention, a system for producing a planar light beam includes a light pipe with microprisms on one of its surfaces, and a beam collector which has microprisms in a plane perpendicular to the microprisms in the light guide. According to another embodiment, the light guide has microprisms on two opposite surfaces, and is capable of multiple mode operation. This multiple mode backlight is capable of illuminating a given active area uniformly with light of different spectrum.
83 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A light expanding system for producing collimated light for a display from point-like light sources, comprising:
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(a) a light pipe having first, second, and third surfaces, wherein; the first and the second surfaces are substantially perpendicular; and the third surface is opposite the second surface; and (b) a plurality of microprisms positioned adjacent to the second surface of the light pipe, each microprism comprising; a base surface that is adjacent and substantially parallel to the second surface of the light pipe; and a light reflecting surface shaped so that light that entering the light pipe and contacting the light reflecting surface is reflected away from the microprism out of the light pipe through the third surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A light system adapted to use one light guide to produce dual mode display lighting with light from two independent light sources, comprising:
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(a) means for producing light independently from two light sources comprising a first light source and a second light source; (b) a light pipe having first, second, third, and fourth surfaces, wherein; the first and the second surfaces are substantially perpendicular; the third surface is opposite the second surface; and the fourth surface is substantially perpendicular to the third surface; and (c) an optical arrangement configured so that light from the first light source is adapted to enter the light pipe from first surface of the light pipe, and exit the light pipe from the third surface, and (d) a continued optical arrangement configured so that light from the second light source is adapted to enter the light pipe from the fourth surface and exit the light pipe from the third surface. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification