Flat panel optical display system with highly controlled output

• US 20100315836A1
• Filed: 06/11/2009
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC (Rambus Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC (Rambus Inc.)
• Inventors: Richardson, Brian Edward
• Application Number:
  US12/456,122
• Publication Number:
  US 20100315836A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/619
• 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: G02F 1/133615 Edge-illuminating devices, i.e. illuminating from the side

Abstract

A brightness enhancing reflector to accurately control the light exiting the guide 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 and in conjunction with an electronic display.

Claims

1. An optical display 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

a reflector element comprising a plurality of reflector surfaces, said reflector element being optically isolated from said light guide, said reflector element directing light out of said light guide in a predetermined direction and pattern through a display matrix;

wherein

said display matrix comprises black areas and non-black areas, said reflector surfaces being aligned with said display matrix such that the light directed through said display matrix passes through said non-black areas of said display matrix, thereby increasing the brightness of an output of said display system.

2. The light guide system of claim 1 wherein:

elements of a light source of said system are mounted on a plurality of narrow mounting points on side reflector edges at a front end of said light guide, said mounting points being separated from each other, and

said side reflector edges expand in width from said mounting points to a base of said side reflector edges, said base of said side reflector edges being connected to a front end of a main body of said light guide.

3. The light guide system of claim 1 wherein:

said light guide decreases in thickness from an end of said light guide to which a light source is attached to an end of said light guide to which said reflector element is attached.

4. The optical display system of claim 1 wherein:

after light is directed from said light guide, the light passes through at least one diffusing element.

5. The optical display system of claim 1 wherein:

optical isolation of said light guide from said reflector element is accomplished by an air gap.

6. The light guide system of claim 1 wherein:

optical isolation of said light guide from said reflector element is accomplished by a thin layer of a material with a low index of refraction.

7. The light guide system of claim 1 wherein:

an index of refraction of said light guide is less than an index of refraction of said reflector element.

8. An optical display 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

a reflector element comprising a plurality of reflector surfaces, said reflector element being optically isolated from said light guide;

wherein

elements of a light source of said system are mounted on a plurality of narrow mounting points on side reflector edges at a front end of said light guide, said mounting points being separated from each other, and

said side reflector edges expand in width from said mounting points to a base of said side reflector edges, said base of said side reflector edges being connected to a front end of a main body of said light guide.

9. The light guide system of claim 8 wherein:

said reflector element directs light out of said light guide in a predetermined direction and pattern through a display matrix, said display matrix comprising black areas and non-black areas, said reflector surfaces being aligned with said display matrix such that the light directed through said display matrix passes through said non-black areas of said display matrix, thereby increasing the brightness of an output of said display system.

10. The light guide system of claim 8 wherein:

said light guide decreases in thickness from an end of said light guide to which a light source is attached to an end of said light guide to which said reflector element is attached.

11. The optical display system of claim 8 wherein:

after light is directed from said light guide, the light passes through at least one diffusing element.

12. The optical display system of claim 8 wherein:

optical isolation of said light guide from said reflector element is accomplished by an air gap.

13. The light guide system of claim 8 wherein:

optical isolation of said light guide from said reflector element is accomplished by a thin layer of a material with a low index of refraction.

14. The light guide system of claim 8 wherein:

an index of refraction of said light guide is less than an index of refraction of said reflector element.

15. An optical display 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

a reflector element comprising a plurality of reflector surfaces, said reflector element being optically isolated from said light guide;

wherein

said light guide decreases in thickness from an end of said light guide to which a light source is attached to an end of said light guide to which said reflector element is attached.

16. The light guide system of claim 15 wherein:

said reflector element directs light out of said light guide in a predetermined direction and pattern through a display matrix, said display matrix comprising black areas and non-black areas, said reflector surfaces being aligned with said display matrix such that the light directed through said display matrix passes through said non-black areas of said display matrix, thereby increasing the brightness of an output of said display system.

17. The light guide system of claim 15 wherein:

elements of a light source of said system are mounted on a plurality of narrow mounting points on side reflector edges at a front end of said light guide, said mounting points being separated from each other, and

said side reflector edges expand in width from said mounting points to a base of said side reflector edges, said base of said side reflector edges being connected to a front end of a main body of said light guide.

18. The optical display system of claim 15 wherein:

after light is directed from said light guide, the light passes through at least one diffusing element.

19. The optical display system of claim 15 wherein:

optical isolation of said light guide from said reflector element is accomplished by an air gap.

20. The light guide system of claim 15 wherein:

optical isolation of said light guide from said reflector element is accomplished by a thin layer of a material with a low index of refraction.

21. The light guide system of claim 15 wherein:

an index of refraction of said light guide is less than an index of refraction of said reflector element.

22. An optical display 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

a reflector element comprising a plurality of reflector surfaces, said reflector element being optically isolated from said light guide, said reflector element directing light out of said light guide in a predetermined direction and pattern through a display matrix;

wherein

said display matrix comprises black areas and non-black areas, said reflector surfaces being aligned with said display matrix such that the light directed through said display matrix passes through said non-black areas of said display matrix, thereby increasing the brightness of an output of said display system, and

elements of a light source of said system are mounted on a plurality of narrow mounting points on side reflector edges at a front end of said light guide, said mounting points being separated from each other, and said side reflector edges expand in width from said mounting points to a base of said side reflector edges, said base of said side reflector edges being connected to a front end of a main body of said light guide, and

said light guide decreases in thickness from an end of said light guide to which a light source is attached to an end of said light guide to which said reflector element is attached.

23. The optical display system of claim 22 wherein:

after light is directed from said light guide, the light passes through at least one diffusing element.

24. The optical display system of claim 22 wherein:

optical isolation of said light guide from said reflector element is accomplished by an air gap.

25. The light guide system of claim 22 wherein:

optical isolation of said light guide from said reflector element is accomplished by a thin layer of a material with a low index of refraction.

26. The light guide system of claim 22 wherein:

an index of refraction of said light guide is less than an index of refraction of said reflector element.