Light panel

• US 6,895,705 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2003
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marketing Displays Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Marketing Displays Incorporated
• Inventors: Hillstrom, Brian J., Krohn, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoge, Gary C.
• Application Number:
  US10/439,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20040226202A1
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 405/46, 362/31
• US Class Current: 40/546
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0033 Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide

Abstract

A display device is provided comprising a transparent panel having a light receiving edge and a face. A plurality of laser etched grooves are formed in the face of the panel such that the grooves increase in depth as the grooves extend away from the light receiving edge of the panel. The grooves include a bottom surface having a contour that matches a contour of the face of the panel. The grooves also include a plurality of diffusive sections and a plurality of internally reflective sections.

Claims

1. A display device comprising:

a transparent panel having a light receiving edge and a face; and

a plurality of laser etched grooves formed in the face of said panel, said grooves increasing in depth as said grooves extend away from the light receiving edge of said panel;

wherein said grooves include plurality of diffusive sections and a plurality of internally reflective sections, interspaced with said plurality of diffusive sections.

2. The display device of claim 1 wherein said grooves include a bottom surface, said bottom surface corresponding to a contour of the face of said panel.

3. The display device of claim 1 further comprising a light source disposed adjacent said light receiving edge of said panel.

4. The display device of claim 3 wherein said light source further comprises at least one cold cathode fluorescent lamp.

5. The display device of claim 3 further comprising a frame enclosing said light source relative to said panel.

6. A display device comprising:

a transparent panel having a light receiving edge and a face; and

a plurality of grooves formed in the face of said panel, said grooves increasing in depth as said grooves extend away from the light receiving edge of said panel;

wherein said grooves include a bottom surface, said bottom surface corresponding to a contour of the face of said panel; and

said grooves include a plurality of diffusive sections and a plurality of internally reflective sections interspaced with said plurality of diffusive sections.

7. The display device of claim 6 wherein said grooves further comprise laser etched grooves.

8. The display device of claim 6 further comprising a light source disposed adjacent said light receiving edge of said panel.

9. The display device of claim 8 wherein said light source further comprises at least one cold cathode fluorescent lamp.

10. The display device of claim 8 further comprising a frame enclosing said light source relative to said panel.

11. A display device comprising:

a transparent panel having a light receiving edge and a face; and

a plurality of grooves formed in the face of said panel, said grooves increasing in depth as said grooves extend away from the light receiving edge of said panel;

wherein said grooves include a plurality of diffusive sections and a plurality of internally reflective sections interspaced with said plurality of diffusive sections.

12. The display device of claim 11 wherein said grooves further comprise laser etched grooves.

13. The display device of claim 11 wherein said grooves include a bottom surface, said bottom surface matching a contour of the face of said panel.

14. The display device of claim 11 further comprising a light source disposed adjacent said light receiving edge of said panel.

15. The display device of claim 14 wherein said light source further comprises at least one cold cathode fluorescent lamp.

16. The display device of claim 14 further comprising a frame enclosing said light source relative to said panel.