Flat panel light source device and passive display device utilizing the light source device

• US 5,913,594 A
• Filed: 02/25/1997
• Issued: 06/22/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Keiji Iimura
• Original Assignee: Keiji Iimura
• Inventors: Iimura, Keiji
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, DAVID B
• Application Number:
  US08/805,699
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 362/31, 362/26, 362/800, 362/223, 362/812, 362/27, 362/29, 349/67, 349/65
• US Class Current: 362/607
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/28 Structurally-combined illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0018 Redirecting means on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0023 provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed between the light guide and the light source, or around the light source
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0076 Stacked arrangements of multiple light guides of the same or different cross-sectional area
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133615 Edge-illuminating devices, i.e. illuminating from the side

Abstract

Flat panel light source device comprises first and second light transmission panels and light coupling device. Both panels may have relatively high refractive index and relatively high light transmission characteristics. The first panel is used for illumination and the second panel is used for bypass light guide. Both panels are located adjacently in parallel. The light coupling device makes light coupling between both panels and is located near one pair of side terminals in both panels, distant from another pair of side terminals to which incident light rays are input. The second panel may have at least one of light reflective layer of light transmission material with lower refractive index than the second panel. Alternatively, the second panel may have multiple of optical fibers. A passive type display device comprises a flat panel type passive display device and the flat panel light source in described above. The liquid crystal display device may be used for the passive display device.

Claims

1. Flat panel light source device comprising:

(a) First and second light transmission panels, with relatively high refractive index and relatively high light transmission characteristics, being located adjacently in parallel, said first light transmission panel being for use for illumination and said second light transmission panel being for use a bypass light guide; and

(b) light coupling means, making light coupling between said first and second light transmission panels, said light coupling means being located near one pair of side terminals of said both light transmission panels distant from another pair of side terminals of said both light transmission panels, incident light rays being input into said another pair of side terminals, wherein said light coupling means is an optical prism.

2. Flat panel light source device, according to claim 1;

wherein a light source of line light type is provided to project light rays to said another pair of side terminals of said both light transmission panels.

3. Flat panel light source device, according to claim 1;

wherein said second light transmission panel has a front, rear, and side surfaces, wherein at least one of said second transmission panel front, rear and side surfaces has a light reflective layer or a plurality of light reflective layers.

4. Flat panel light source device, according to claim 3;

wherein said second light transmission panel has at least one of light reflective layer composed of light transmission material with lower refractive index than said second light transmission panel.

5. Flat panel light source device, according to claim 3;

wherein said second light transmission panel has at least one of light reflective layer composed of reflective metal.

6. Flat panel light source device, according to claim 1;

wherein a pair of both terminal surfaces of said both light transmission panels are projected by light rays generating from a light source.

7. Flat panel light source device comprising:

(a) first light transmission panel being for use for illumination only, with relatively high refractive index and relatively high light transmission characteristics, wherein incident light rays being input from one side terminal are leaked little by little from front surface and/or rear surface of said first light transmission panel to outside;

(b) second light transmission panel for use as bypass light guide only, with relatively high refractive index and relatively high light transmission characteristics, being located adjacently in parallel with said first light transmission panel, wherein said second light transmission panel has first light reflective layer on front surface and second light reflective layer on rear surface, so that almost all incident light rays being input from one side terminal are transmitted effectively with minimum leakage of said light rays to opposite side terminal by reflecting repeatedly between said second light transmission panel front surface and said second light transmission panel rear surface; and

(c) light coupling means, making light coupling between said first and second light transmission panels, near one pair of terminal side surfaces of said both light transmission panels, wherein said light rays being output from second light transmission panel are changed in direction and are input into said first light transmission panel.

8. Flat panel light source device, according to claim 7;

wherein one common light source of line light type is provided to project incident light rays for input to of terminal side surfaces of said both light transmission panels.

9. Flat panel light source device, according to claim 7;

wherein said light reflective layers are composed of reflective metal.

10. Flat panel light source device, according to claim 7;

wherein said light reflective layers are composed of transparent material with lower refractive index than said refractive index of said second light transmission panel.

11. Flat panel light source device, according to claim 7;

wherein a pair of both terminal side surfaces of said both light transmission panels are projected by light rays generating from light source.

12. Flat panel light source device comprising:

(a) first light transmission panel being for use for illumination only, with relatively high refractive index and relatively high light transmission characteristics, wherein incident light rays being input from one side terminal are leaked little by little from front surface and/or rear surface of said first light transmission panel to outside;

(b) second light transmission panel for use as bypass light guide only, with relatively high refractive index and relatively high light transmission characteristics, being located adjacently in parallel with said first light transmission panel, wherein said second light transmission panel has first light reflective layer on front surface and second light reflective layer on rear surface, so that almost all incident light rays being input from one side terminal are transmitted effectively with minimum leakage of said light rays to opposite side terminal by reflecting repeatedly between said second light transmission panel front surface and said second light transmission panel rear surface; and

(c) light coupling means, composed of a transparent optical component, making light coupling between said first and second light transmission panels, near one pair of terminal side surfaces of said both light transmission panels, wherein said light rays being output from second light transmission panel are changed in direction and are input into said first light transmission panel.

13. Flat panel light source device, according to claim 12;

wherein said transparent optical component is composed of transparent organic resin.

14. Flat panel light source device, according to claim 12;

wherein said transparent optical component is composed of transparent inorganic optical glass.

15. Flat panel light source device, according to claim 12;

wherein said transparent optical component is an optical prism.

16. Flat panel light source device, according to claim 15;

wherein said optical prism is pedestal shaped.

17. Flat panel light source device, according to claim 12;

wherein one common light source of line light type is provided to project incident light rays for input to terminal side surfaces of said both light transmission panels.

18. Flat panel light source device, according to claim 12;

wherein said light reflective layers are composed of reflective metal.

19. Flat panel light source device, according to claim 12;

wherein said light reflective layers are composed of transparent material with lower refractive index than said refractive index of said second light transmission panel.

20. Flat panel light source device, according to claim 12;

wherein a pair of both terminal side surfaces of said both light transmission panels are projected by light rays generating from light source.

21. Passive display device comprising:

(a) a flat panel type passive display device;

(b) first light transmission panel being for use for illumination only, with relatively high refractive index and relatively high light transmission characteristics, wherein incident light rays being input from one side terminal are leaked little by little from front surface and/or rear surface of said first light transmission panel to outside;

(c) second light transmission panel for use as bypass light guide only, with relatively high refractive index and relatively high light transmission characteristics, being located adjacently in parallel with said first light transmission panel, wherein said second light transmission panel has first light reflective layer on front surface and second light reflective layer on rear surface, so that almost all incident light rays being input from one side terminal are transmitted effectively with minimum leakage of said light rays to opposite side terminal by reflecting repeatedly between said second light transmission panel front surface and said second light transmission panel rear surface; and

(d) light coupling means, making light coupling between said first and second light transmission panels, near one pair of terminal side surfaces of said both light transmission panels, wherein said light rays being output from second light transmission panel are changed in direction and are input into said first light transmission panel.