Optic system light guide with controlled output

• US 20100085773A1
• Filed: 01/02/2009
• Published: 04/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC (Rambus Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC (Rambus Inc.)
• Inventors: Richardson, Brian Edward
• Granted Patent: US 8,152,352 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/615
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0036 2-D arrangement of prisms, protrusions, indentations or roughened surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0055 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0073 Light emitting diode [LED]

Abstract

A light guide with optics accurately controls the light exiting the guide. The device achieves accurate control of the reflected light by extracting light from a limited area of the light guide. The configuration of the reflectors used for the selective extraction determines the nature of the output light. The reflectors are preferably located on a side of the light guide opposite to an output side of the light guide.

Claims

1. A light guide system comprising:

a light guide wherein light travels by total internal reflection,

at least one optical element that provides selective extraction of light from said light guide, and

at least one reflector in said optical element that is optically isolated from said light guide;

wherein

when light is extracted from said light guide, the light is directed in a predetermined direction and pattern.

2. The light guide system of claim 1 wherein:

said extraction of light is enabled by physical contact of said optical element with said light guide.

3. The light guide system of claim 1 wherein:

a conformation of said reflector controls said predetermined direction and pattern.

4. The light guide system of claim 3 wherein:

said reflector is a hollow element.

5. The light guide system of claim 1 wherein:

a contact portion of said optical element is integral to a body of said light guide.

6. The light guide system of claim 1 wherein:

said reflector is shaped so as to spread the output light.

7. The light guide system of claim 1 wherein:

said optical isolation is accomplished by an air gap.

8. The light guide system of claim 1 wherein:

said optical isolation is accomplished by a thin layer of a material with a low index of refraction.

9. The light guide system of claim 1 wherein:

light reflected from said reflector passes through said light guide after leaving said reflector.

10. The light guide system of claim 1 wherein:

said reflector is a two dimensional type reflector.

11. The light guide system of claim 1 wherein:

said reflector is a three dimensional type reflector.