Optical microstructures for light extraction and control
First Claim
1. A pixel, comprising:
- a light guide containing total internal reflected light waves; and
an active layer having a first set of collector-coupler features on an internal surface of said active layer, wherein the active layer is configured to move said first set of collector-coupler features into close proximity to a surface of said light guide so as to cause light waves to exit the light guide and enter the first set of collector-coupler features, wherein a material is disposed interstitially between the collector-coupler features of said first set of collector-coupler features, and wherein said material is color absorbing or reflective.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The application of microstructures which improve the quality of light available to the viewer of an optical display system, or any display which works on the concept of moving one surface into direct contact or close proximity of a light guide to extract light through frustrated total internal reflection. Optical microstructures are introduced on one or both of the surfaces of the active layer to enhance its performance. Since the active layer has both an input and an output function, means for enhancing both are presented. The input function to the active layer occurs on the internal surface, so this is where the present invention adds a collector-coupler, a means for facilitating the migration of light from the waveguide into the active layer. The output function occurs on the external surface, where the present invention adds a collimator, a means for both increasing the probability that a light wave will be released from the active layer, and improving the apparent intensity by redirecting light waves so that more of them reach the viewer. Compound microlenses on the internal surface of the active layer can serve as both collector-couplers and collimators, substantially improving light extraction from the light guide and light distribution to the viewer. Depositing a reflective or colored material in the interstitial spaces between these compound microlenses improves the contrast ratio and mitigate pixel cross-talk. The opaque material can be conductive for use in actuating the display.
-
Citations
30 Claims
-
1. A pixel, comprising:
-
a light guide containing total internal reflected light waves; and an active layer having a first set of collector-coupler features on an internal surface of said active layer, wherein the active layer is configured to move said first set of collector-coupler features into close proximity to a surface of said light guide so as to cause light waves to exit the light guide and enter the first set of collector-coupler features, wherein a material is disposed interstitially between the collector-coupler features of said first set of collector-coupler features, and wherein said material is color absorbing or reflective. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
5. A display system, comprising:
-
a plurality of pixels on a display, wherein each of said plurality of pixels comprises; a light guide; and an active layer having a first set of collector-coupler features on an internal surface of said active layer, wherein the active layer is configured to move said first set of collector-coupler features into close proximity to a surface of said light guide so as to cause light waves within the light guide to exit the light guide and enter the first set of collector-coupler features, wherein a material is disposed interstitially between the collector-coupler features of said first set of collector-coupler features, and wherein said material is opaque. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A display system, comprising:
-
a plurality of pixels on a display, wherein each of said plurality of pixels comprises; a light guide; and an active layer having a first set of collector-coupler features on an internal surface of said active layer, wherein the active layer is configured to move said first set of collector-coupler features into close proximity to a surface of said light guide so as to cause light waves within the light guide to exit the light guide and enter the first set of collector-coupler features, wherein a material is disposed interstitially between the collector-coupler features of said first set of collector-coupler features, wherein said material comprises an electrical conductor.
-
-
22. A display system, comprising:
-
a plurality of pixels on a display, wherein each of said plurality of pixels comprises; a light guide; and an active layer having a first set of collector-coupler features on an internal surface of said active layer, wherein the active layer is configured to move said first set of collector-coupler features into close proximity to a surface of said light guide so as to cause light waves within the light guide to exit the light guide and enter the first set of collector-coupler features, wherein optical properties of each collector-coupler of said first set of collector-coupler features are selected such that light entering the collector-coupler from the light guide will contact a side boundary of the collector-coupler under conditions sufficient for total internal reflection within the collector-coupler before said light contacts a boundary between said collector-coupler and said active layer, wherein a material is disposed interstitially between the collector-coupler features of said first set of collector-coupler features, and wherein said material is color absorbing or reflective.
-
-
23. A pixel, comprising:
-
a light guide containing total internal reflected light waves; and an active layer having a first set of collector-coupler features on an internal surface of said active layer, wherein the active layer is configured to move said first set of collector-coupler features into close proximity to a surface of said light guide so as to cause light waves to exit the light guide and enter the first set of collector-coupler features, wherein an opaque material is disposed interstitially between the collector-coupler features of said first set of collector-coupler features.
-
-
24. A pixel, comprising:
-
a light guide containing total internal reflected light waves; and an active layer having a first set of collector-coupler features on an internal surface of said active layer, wherein the active layer is configured to move said first set of collector-coupler features into close proximity to a surface of said light guide so as to cause light waves to exit the light guide and enter the first set of collector-coupler features, wherein a material comprising an electrical conductor is disposed interstitially between the collector-coupler features of said first set of collector-coupler features.
-
-
25. A display system, comprising:
-
a plurality of pixels on a display, wherein each of said plurality of pixels comprises; a light guide; and an active layer having a first set of collector-coupler features on an internal surface of said active layer, wherein the active layer is configured to move said first set of collector-coupler features into close proximity to a surface of said light guide so as to cause light waves within the light guide to exit the light guide and enter the first set of collector-coupler features, wherein a material is disposed interstitially between the collector-coupler features of said first set of collector-coupler features, and wherein said material is color absorbing or reflective.
-
-
26. A pixel, comprising:
-
a light guide containing total internal reflected light waves; and an active layer having a first set of collector-coupler features on an internal surface of said active layer, wherein the active layer is configured to move said first set of collector-coupler features into close proximity to a surface of said light guide so as to cause light waves to exit the light guide and enter the first set of collector-coupler features, wherein a color absorbing material is disposed interstitially between the collector-coupler features.
-
-
27. A pixel, comprising:
-
a light guide containing total internal reflected light waves; and a positionable active layer having a first set of collector-coupler features on an internal surface of said active layer, wherein when the pixel is activated to emit light, the active layer is positioned such that said first set of collector-coupler features are in close proximity to a surface of said light guide so as to cause said light waves to exit the light guide and enter the first set of collector-coupler features, wherein an opaque material is disposed interstitially between the collector-coupler features of said first set of collector-coupler features. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
-
Specification