Light coupling system and method
First Claim
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1. A light coupling system, comprising:
- a substantially planar array of light sources of different colors;
a waveguide, disposed substantially parallel to the planar array, a first of the light sources being configured to project light directly through the waveguide along a projection axis;
first means for coupling light from a second of the light sources into the waveguide at an angle selected to cause internal reflection of the light within the waveguide; and
first switchable means for selectively coupling the light of the second light source out of the waveguide and directing said light along the projection axis.
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Abstract
A light coupling system includes a waveguide, configured to receive light from at least two light sources and to internally reflect light therein; a diffraction grating, disposed upon the waveguide; and a switchable Bragg grating, disposed upon the waveguide. The diffraction grating is configured to couple light from at least one of the light sources into the waveguide, and the switchable Bragg grating is configured to selectively couple light out of the waveguide, such that the light from the at least two light sources is selectively directed along a common projection axis.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A light coupling system, comprising:
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a substantially planar array of light sources of different colors; a waveguide, disposed substantially parallel to the planar array, a first of the light sources being configured to project light directly through the waveguide along a projection axis; first means for coupling light from a second of the light sources into the waveguide at an angle selected to cause internal reflection of the light within the waveguide; and first switchable means for selectively coupling the light of the second light source out of the waveguide and directing said light along the projection axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A light coupling system, comprising:
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a substantially planar array of light sources of different colors; a waveguide, disposed substantially parallel to the planar array, a first of the light sources being configured to project light directly through the waveguide along a projection axis; a first diffraction grating, disposed upon the waveguide, configured to couple light from a second of the light sources into the waveguide; and a first switchable Bragg grating, disposed upon the waveguide, configured to freely allow passage of the light from the first light source, and to selectively couple the light of the second light source out of the waveguide and direct said light along the projection axis. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A light coupling system, comprising:
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a substantially planar array comprising three light sources of different colors; a waveguide, disposed substantially parallel to the planar array, and positioned to allow light from a first of the light sources to project directly through the waveguide along a projection axis; a first diffraction grating, disposed upon the waveguide, configured to couple light from a second of the light sources into the waveguide; a second diffraction grating, disposed upon the waveguide, configured to couple light from a third of the light sources into the waveguide; a first switchable Bragg grating, disposed upon the waveguide, configured to freely allow passage of the light from the first light source, and to selectively couple the light of the second light source out of the waveguide, and direct said light along the projection axis; and a second switchable Bragg grating, disposed upon the waveguide, configured to freely allow passage of the light from the first light source, and to selectively couple the light of the third light source out of the waveguide, and direct said light along the projection axis. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A light coupling system, comprising:
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a waveguide, configured to receive light from at least two light sources, and to internally reflect light therein; a diffraction grating, disposed upon the waveguide, configured to couple light from at least one of the light sources into the waveguide; and a switchable Bragg grating, disposed upon the waveguide, configured to selectively couple light out of the waveguide, such that the light from the at least two light sources is selectively directed along a common projection axis. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification