Light pipe having one or more integral diffusers
First Claim
1. A light pipe for a backlight assembly, the light pipe comprising:
- a front surface;
a back surface opposite the front surface; and
an integral diffuser including at least one region of surface micro-structures formed in the back surface, wherein the integral diffuser comprises a central region of surface structures having at least one lateral edge and a lateral region of surface micro-structures adjacent to each lateral edge.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A light pipe for a backlight assembly has a front surface and a back surface. The back surface includes an integral surface diffuser microstructure formed thereon. The front surface may also have an integral surface diffuser microstructure formed thereon as well. A backlight assembly has a reflective surface adjacent the back surface of the light pipe and a separate diffuser film layer disposed against the front surface. A pair of brightness enhancing film layers for collimating light are placed adjacent the diffuser film layer. A protective layer is disposed over the brightness enhancing film layers. The integral diffusers on the front and back surfaces of the light pipe significantly enhance the brightness and light distribution uniformity of the assembly without adding additional components or reducing other performance characteristics of the assembly.
29 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A light pipe for a backlight assembly, the light pipe comprising:
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a front surface;
a back surface opposite the front surface; and
an integral diffuser including at least one region of surface micro-structures formed in the back surface, wherein the integral diffuser comprises a central region of surface structures having at least one lateral edge and a lateral region of surface micro-structures adjacent to each lateral edge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A backlight assembly for a display comprising:
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a light pipe including;
a front surface, a back surface, and, an integral surface diffuser including at least one region of surface micro-structures formed in the back surface of the light pipe wherein the integral diffuser comprises a central region of surface structures having at least one lateral edge and a lateral region of surface micro-structures adjacent to each lateral edge; and
,at least one light source located adjacent an edge of the light pipe. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of enhancing the uniformity and brightness of light output produced by a backlight assembly comprising:
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providing a backlight assembly including;
a light pipe having;
a front surface, a back surface, and, an integral surface diffuser including at least one region of surface micro-structures formed in the back surface of the light pipe wherein the integral surface diffuser comprises a central region of surface structures having at least one lateral edge and a lateral region of surface micro-structures adjacent to each lateral edge. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
an integral surface diffuser including at least one region of surface micro-structures formed in the front surface of the light pipe, and, a diffuser layer disposed adjacent the front surface of the light pipe; - wherein an air gap is formed between the surface micro-structures formed in the front surface of the light pipe and the diffuser layer disposed adjacent the front surface of the light pipe.
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28. The method of claim 27 wherein each region in the back surface produces an elliptical light output at an angle approximately 95°
- horizontal and approximately 25°
vertical; and
each region in the front surface products a circular light output of approximately 1°
when light is directed through the light pipe.
- horizontal and approximately 25°
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29. The method of claim 26, wherein the central region produces an elliptical light output of approximately 95°
- by 15° and
each lateral diffuser produces an elliptical output of approximately 95°
by 25°
when light is directed through the light pipe.
- by 15° and
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30. The method of claim 29, further comprising an integral surface diffuser including at least one region of surface micro-structures formed in the front surface of the light pipe, wherein the surface microstructures in the front surface produce a circular light output of between approximately 0.5°
- and 5.0°
when light is directed through the light pipe.
- and 5.0°
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Specification