Tir switched flat panel display
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A display device comprising:
- a light source,a light guide, anda plurality of optical elements that allow selective extraction of light from said light guide;
whereinlight projected from said light source travels through said light guide by total internal reflection,when light traveling through said light guide contacts one of said optical elements that is in an on position, light is extracted from said light guide via said optical element, the light being directed through said display device to a viewer, andwhen light traveling through said light guide contacts one of said optical elements in an off position, the light continues to travel through said light guide by total internal reflection.
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Abstract
A flat panel display uses pixels that are turned on or off by the enabling or disabling total internal reflection TIR, of a light guide. A reflective surface directs the switched light towards the viewer. An optional mask can be employed to provide extremely high contrast ratios in low and in high ambient lighting conditions. The elements that enable TIR can be enabled quickly because of their small size and weight, resulting in a very fast switching speed. The fast switching speed allows colors to be generated and displayed in a sequential manner.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A display device comprising:
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a light source, a light guide, and a plurality of optical elements that allow selective extraction of light from said light guide;
whereinlight projected from said light source travels through said light guide by total internal reflection, when light traveling through said light guide contacts one of said optical elements that is in an on position, light is extracted from said light guide via said optical element, the light being directed through said display device to a viewer, and when light traveling through said light guide contacts one of said optical elements in an off position, the light continues to travel through said light guide by total internal reflection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A display device comprising:
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a light source, a light guide, and a plurality of optical elements that allow selective extraction of light from said light guide;
whereinlight projected from said light source travels through said light guide by total internal reflection, and each said optical element comprises a reflecting area, said reflecting area directing light from said light guide to a viewer on an output side of said display device. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification