×

Backlighting construction for use in computer-based display systems having direct and projection viewing modes of operation

  • US 5,801,793 A
  • Filed: 10/13/1994
  • Issued: 09/01/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A reconfigurable backlighting construction installed in a computer-based system having a transportable housing, first and second modes of operation, and first and second light transmission apertures formed in said transportable housing, said backlighting construction comprisinglight producing means installed in said transportable housing, for producing light in the direction of a projection axis during said first mode;

  • a thin lens panel mounted in said transportable housing along said projection axis;

    a light guiding panel having first and second end portions, and first and second light guiding surfaces between which said produced light can be totally internally reflected;

    first support means mounted to said first end portion of said light guiding panel, for pivotally supporting said light guiding panel adjacent said thin lens panel during said first mode, and at a preselectable angle with respect to said thin lens panel during said second mode;

    a rear housing panel having an interior surface and first and second end portions and a spatial extent sufficient for covering a substantial portion of said first light transmission aperture during said first mode;

    a light reflective surface adjacent the interior surface of said rear housing panel;

    second support means connected between said second end portion of said light guiding panel and said first end portion of said rear housing panel, for pivotally supporting said rear housing panel adjacent said light guiding panel and said light guiding panel adjacent said thin lens panel during said first mode, and for supporting said rear housing panel adjacent said light guiding panel and said light reflective surface at said preselected angle with respect to said thin lens panel during said second mode;

    a light diffusing structure operably associated with said light guiding panel, for scattering light within said light guiding panel during said first mode;

    wherein during said first mode, light is produced from said light producing means and is reflected and scattered within said light guiding panel and a portion of said scattered light is transmitted through said first light guiding surface of said light guiding panel along said projection axis, andwherein during said second mode, light is produced from an external source and is reflected off said light reflective surface and transmitted through said thin lens panel along said projection axis.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×