Method and system for providing backlighting utilizing a luminescent impregnated material

• US 6,637,905 B1
• Filed: 09/26/2002
• Issued: 10/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Ng, Kee Yean, Ou, Wen Ya
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Laura K.
• Application Number:
  US10/255,208
• Time in Patent Office: 397 Days
• Field of Search: 362/84, 362/31
• US Class Current: 362/601
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• 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 6/0026 Wavelength selective element, sheet or layer, e.g. filter or grating
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/005 provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed on the light output side of the light guide

Abstract

An apparatus is directed to providing backlighting utilizing luminescent impregnated material. The apparatus includes a radiation source providing a first radiation and a filter layer optically coupled to the radiation source including a luminescent material designed to absorb the first radiation, and emit one or more radiations. The apparatus further includes a light guide optically coupled to the filter layer and designed to receive the emitted radiation and reflect at least a portion of the emitted radiation. The apparatus additionally includes a display layer optically coupled to the light guide and designed to receive the reflected radiation. The system provides means for providing a first radiation, means for absorbing the first radiation, means for emitting one or more radiations based on the absorbed first radiation, means for receiving the emitted radiation, means for reflecting the emitted radiation, and means for receiving the reflected emitted radiation.

Claims

1. A backlighting apparatus comprising:

a radiation source that provides a first radiation, wherein the radiation source is selected from a group consisting of a color light emitting diode, a color laser diode, a white light emitting diode, a white laser diode, an ultra violet light emitting diode, and an ultra violet laser diode;

a filter layer optically coupled to the radiation source, the filter layer including a luminescent material and designed to absorb the first radiation, in whole or in part, and emit an emitted radiation or a composite radiation;

a light guide optically coupled to the filter layer to receive the emitted radiation or composite radiation and to reflect at least a portion of the emitted radiation or composite radiation; and

a display layer optically coupled to the light guide to receive the reflected radiation or composite radiation.

2. The backlighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radiation source is configured as a surface mountable package.

3. The backlighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter layer enables the emitted radiation or composite radiation to be directed to at least one user determined location.

4. The backlighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the luminescent material further comprises a blend of one or more phosphors.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter layer further comprises an optically clear substance, and the luminescent material is impregnated within the optically clear substance.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the optically clear substance comprises an optically clear polymer.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter layer further comprises an optically clear substance, and the luminescent material is layered on top of the optically clear substance.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the optically clear substance comprises an optically clear polymer.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radiation source, the filter layer, and the light guide are optically coupled utilizing at least one surface mating profile and an optically clear adhesive.

10. A method for providing backlighting, comprising:

generating a first radiation by a radiation emitting device, wherein the radiation emitting device is selected from the group consisting of a color light emitting diode, a color laser diode, a white light emitting diode, a white laser diode, an ultra violet light emitting diode, and an ultra violet laser diode;

absorbing the first radiation, in whole or in part;

emitting an emitted radiation or composite radiation based on the absorbed first radiation into a light guide;

reflecting at least a portion of the emitted radiation or the composite radiation onto a display layer.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein absorbing the first radiation comprises:

receiving the first radiation into a filter layer; and

reacting to the first radiation based on a luminescent material within the filter layer.

12. A backlighting apparatus, comprising:

a radiation source that provides a first radiation, wherein the radiation source is configured as a throughhole package;

a filter layer optically coupled to the radiation source, the filter layer including a luminescent material and designed to absorb the first radiation, in whole or in part, and emit an emitted radiation or a composite radiation;

a light guide optically coupled to the filter layer to receive the emitted radiation or composite radiation and to reflect at least a portion of the emitted radiation or composite radiation; and

a display layer optically coupled to the light guide to receive the reflected radiation or composite radiation.

13. The backlighting apparatus of claim 12, wherein the radiation source is selected from a group comprising a color light emitting diode, a color laser diode, a white light emitting diode, a white laser diode, an ultra violet light emitting diode, and an ultra violet laser diode.

14. The backlighting apparatus of claim 12, wherein the filter layer enables the emitted radiation or composite radiation to be directed to at least one user determined location.

15. The backlighting apparatus of claim 12, wherein the luminescent material further comprises a blend of one or more phosphors.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the filter layer further comprises an optically clear substance, and the luminescent material is impregnated within the optically clear substance.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the optically clear substance comprises an optically clear polymer.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the filter layer further comprises an optically clear substance, and the luminescent material is layered on top of the optically clear substance.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the optically clear substance comprises an optically clear polymer.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the radiation source, the filter layer, and the light guide are optically coupled utilizing at least one surface mating profile and an optically clear adhesive.