Localized illumination using TIR technology

• US 5,775,792 A
• Filed: 09/15/1997
• Issued: 07/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH (Ams-Osram AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Microelectronics Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Wiese, Lynn
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamen, Noah P.
• Application Number:
  US08/929,374
• Time in Patent Office: 295 Days
• Field of Search: 362/32, 362/311, 362/327, 362/328, 362/340, 362/26, 362/27, 362/29, 362/812
• US Class Current: 362/328
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/14 lighting through the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/02 of prismatic shape F21V5/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0091 using total internal reflection
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/002 by shaping at least a portion of the light guide, e.g. with collimating, focussing or diverging surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0021 for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/003 Lens or lenticular sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/10 of the optical waveguide type G02B6/02, G02B6/24 take precedence; devices or arrangements for the control of light by electric, magnetic, electro-magnetic or acoustic means G02F1/00; transferring the modulation of modulated light G02F2/00; optical logic elements G02F3/00; optical analogue/digital converters G02F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/42 Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4206 Optical features G02B6/4207, G02B6/421 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 Signs

Abstract

A method of illuminating an object by capturing light from a light source with a TIR lens, redirecting the captured light from the light source in a single direction using the TIR lens, and channeling the redirected light through a light pipe to a plane at or before the object to maximize brightness of the light from the light source at the plane.

Claims

1. A method of providing light to a display, comprising the steps of:

(a) capturing the light from a light source with a total internal reflection optical element;

(b) redirecting the light from the light source in a single direction using the total internal reflection optical element;

(c) channeling the light through a light pipe to a surface at a top of the light pipe; and

,

(d) emitting the light through the surface at the top of the light pipe through an aperture in the surface, the aperture being shaped different from a cross section of the top of the light pipe.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein in step (d) the aperture is placed and shaped to function as an element of a digit in a display housing.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein in step (d) the aperture is shaped so that light emitted through the aperture appears as an icon in a display panel.

4. A method as in claim 1 wherein in step (d) the aperture is shaped so that light emitted through the aperture appears as an outline of an icon in a display panel.

5. A method as in claim 1 wherein step (a) includes capturing the light from a plurality of light emitting sources.

6. A method as in claim 5 wherein in step (a) the plurality of light emitting sources create light of different colors.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the top of the light pipe is less than the cross-sectional area of the bottom of the light pipe.

8. A method of providing light to a display, comprising the steps of:

(a) collecting the light as the light is emitted from a light source;

(b) redirecting the light in a single direction using total internal reflection;

(c) transmitting the light, without substantial loss of the light, to a surface; and

,

(d) emitting the light through an aperture in the surface, the surface serving to prevent the light from being emitted except through the aperture.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of collecting comprises collecting, by reflection, the light emitted from the light source to a base upon which the light source is mounted.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of transmitting comprises transmitting the light without scattering.

11. A method as in claim 8 wherein in step (d) the aperture is placed and shaped to function as an element of a digit in a display housing.

12. A method as in claim 8 wherein in step (d) the aperture is shaped so that light emitted through the aperture appears as an icon in a display panel.

13. A method as in claim 8 wherein in step (d) the aperture is shaped so that light emitted through the aperture appears as an outline of an icon in a display panel.

14. A method as in claim 8 wherein step (a) includes collecting the light from a plurality of light emitting sources.

15. A method as in claim 14 wherein in step (a) the plurality of light emitting sources create light of different colors.

16. An apparatus which provides light to a display, the apparatus comprising:

a light source which generates the light;

a total internal reflection optical element which captures the light from the light source and redirects the light from the light source in a single direction;

a surface with an aperture located therein; and

,

a light pipe which receives the light from the total internal reflection optical element and channels the light to the surface, the surface being located at a top of the light pipe;

wherein the light is emitted through the surface at the top of the light pipe through the aperture, the aperture being shaped different from a cross section of the top of the light pipe.

17. An apparatus as in claim 16 wherein the aperture is shaped to function as an element of a digit in a display housing.

18. An apparatus as in claim 16 wherein the aperture is shaped so that light emitted through the aperture appears as an icon in a display panel.

19. An apparatus as in claim 16 wherein the aperture is shaped so that light emitted through the aperture appears as an outline of an icon in a display panel.

20. An apparatus as in claim 16 wherein the light source is a plurality of light emitting sources.

21. An apparatus as in claim 20 wherein the plurality of light emitting sources create light of different colors.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the cross-sectional area of the top of the light pipe is less than the cross-sectional area of the bottom of the light pipe.