Internal optical isolation structure for integrated front or back lighting
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A display with integrated front or back light guide, comprising:
- a plurality of display elements;
an optical isolation structure disposed over the display elements, wherein the optical isolation structure comprises at least a first, second, and third non-gaseous material layer; and
a transparent substrate disposed over the optical isolation structure, wherein the first material layer has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the transparent substrate, the second material layer has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of the first material layer, and the third material layer has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the second material layer, and wherein the optical isolation structure is adapted to reflect more light incident on the optical isolation structure from within the substrate at non-zero angles of incidence relative to normal than at normal incidence.
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Abstract
An optical isolation structure is incorporated into a display between the display elements and the transparent substrate for the display elements. The optical isolation structure reflects light rays within the substrate that impact the structure at high angles relative to normal to the structure, thereby permitting the substrate to be used as an integrated light guide for distributing light over the display from a light source on the edge of the substrate. The optical isolation structure may include a single layer having an index of refraction less than the substrate or a plurality of thin-film interference layers.
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Citations
61 Claims
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1. A display with integrated front or back light guide, comprising:
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a plurality of display elements; an optical isolation structure disposed over the display elements, wherein the optical isolation structure comprises at least a first, second, and third non-gaseous material layer; and a transparent substrate disposed over the optical isolation structure, wherein the first material layer has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the transparent substrate, the second material layer has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of the first material layer, and the third material layer has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the second material layer, and wherein the optical isolation structure is adapted to reflect more light incident on the optical isolation structure from within the substrate at non-zero angles of incidence relative to normal than at normal incidence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A display with integrated front or back light guide, comprising:
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a plurality of display elements; an optical isolation structure disposed over the display elements, wherein the optical isolation structure comprises at least a first, second, and third dielectric layer; and a transparent substrate disposed over the optical isolation structure, wherein the first dielectric layer has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the transparent substrate, the second dielectric layer has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of the first dielectric layer, and the third dielectric layer has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the second dielectric layer, and wherein the optical isolation structure is adapted to reflect more light incident on the optical isolation structure from within the substrate at non-zero angles of incidence relative to normal than at normal incidence. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A display, comprising:
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a plurality of display elements; and at least a first, second and third interference layer disposed over the display elements, wherein the interference layers are adapted to reflect more than 40% of light incident on the layers at angles greater than 70 degrees relative to normal to the layers, wherein the first interference layer has an index of refraction greater than 1.5109, the second interference layer has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of the first interference layer, and the third interference layer has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the second interference layer. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A light guide, comprising:
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a transparent substrate; and a plurality of material layers disposed on the transparent substrate, wherein the plurality of material layers comprise a first material layer disposed over the transparent substrate having an index of refraction greater than the transparent substrate, a second material layer disposed over the first material layer having an index of refraction lower than the first material layer, and a third material layer disposed over the second material layer having an index of refraction greater than the second material layer, wherein the combined plurality of material layers is adapted to reflect more than 40% of light incident on the plurality of material layers within the substrate at angles greater than 70 degrees relative to normal to the plurality of material layers. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A display, comprising:
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means for displaying image content; means disposed over the displaying means for reflecting light; and means disposed over the reflecting means for propagating light, wherein the reflecting means comprises at least a first, second, and third material layer, wherein the first material layer has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the propagating means, the second material layer has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of the first material layer, and the third material layer has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the second material layer, and wherein the reflecting means is adapted to reflect more light incident on the reflecting means from within the propagating means at non-zero angles of incidence relative to normal than at normal incidence. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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Specification