Invisible, light-transmissive display system

• US 7,880,131 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2006
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Morgenstern, David, Stringer, Christopher J., Ive, Jonathan P., Coster, Daniel J., Andre, Bartley K., Howarth, Richard P., Satzger, Douglas B., Chow, Paul C. L., Zörkendörfer, Rico, de Iuliis, Daniele, Kerr, Duncan Robert, Seid, Calvin Q., Rohrbach, Matthew Dean, Whang, Eugene Antony, Nishibori, Shin
• Primary Examiner(s): Sohn; Seung C
• Application Number:
  US11/551,988
• Publication Number:
  US 20080024470A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,562 Days
• Field of Search: 250/227.26, 345/173, 345/204, 428/690, 405/80
• US Class Current: 250/227.26
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/003 the elements being electronics drivers or controllers for operating the light source, e.g. for a LED array
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0052 Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0056 Audio equipment, e.g. music instruments, radios or speakers
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/10 for personal use, e.g. hand-held
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/04 Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/06 using individual cut-out symbols or cut-out silhouettes, e.g. perforated signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/08 using both translucent and non-translucent layers
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/30 in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements panels comprising a number of electrodes in a single cell controlling light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. electro-optical or magneto-optical cell, G02F1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/83 characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49 Method of mechanical manufacture

Abstract

An invisible, light-transmissive display system with a light resistant material is provided. Substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes are penetrated in a light-transmissive pattern through at least a portion of the light resistant material using a laser beam having a focal width less than the smallest diameter of the tapered holes.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an invisible, light-transmissive system, comprising:

providing a light resistant material; and

penetrating substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern through the light resistant material using a laser beam having a focal width less than the smallest diameter of the tapered holes.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein penetrating substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern further comprises trepanning the tapered holes with the laser beam.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein penetrating substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern further comprises trepanning the tapered holes by orbiting the laser beam around the edges of the holes.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein penetrating substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern further comprises trepanning the tapered holes with the laser beam by:

beginning penetrating the holes by orbiting the laser beam around the edges of the holes to describe the initial, largest hole diameter; and

as each hole forms and deepens, tightening the orbit to progressively reduce the diameter of the orbit and of the hole.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein penetrating substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern further comprises penetrating substantially conical holes with the laser beam.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein penetrating substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern further comprises penetrating substantially symmetrical conical holes having an aspect ratio of about 0.33.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein penetrating substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern further comprises penetrating substantially conical holes at least some of which are outwardly tilted with respect to the pattern.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein penetrating substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern further comprises trepanning substantially conical holes at least some of which are outwardly tilted with respect to the pattern.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein penetrating substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern further comprises penetrating substantially conical holes at least some of which are inwardly tilted with respect to the pattern.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein penetrating substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern further comprises trepanning substantially conical holes at least some of which are inwardly tilted with respect to the pattern.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein penetrating substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern further comprises penetrating at least one invisible slot with the laser beam.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein penetrating substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern further comprises melting the inner surfaces of the holes with the laser beam to form a smooth mirror finish thereon.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein penetrating substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes further comprises penetrating using a laser beam having a focal width no larger than substantially half the smallest diameter of the tapered holes.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein providing a light resistant material further comprises providing a light resistant material having a textured surface.

15. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein providing a light resistant material further comprises providing a light resistant material having a textured surface in which the surface texture is substantially at least as large as the hole sizes at the textured surface.

16. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising filling the invisible tapered holes with a light-conductive filler.

17. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising filling the invisible tapered holes, from the smallest diameter thereof, with a light-conductive filler.

18. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising over-filling the invisible tapered holes with a light-conductive filler to form a dome of filler on at least one end of each hole.

19. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

filling the invisible tapered holes with a light-conductive, curable filler;

curing the filler;

removing the uncured remainder of the filler; and

finishing the cured filler at least one outer surface of the light resistant material.

20. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

filling the invisible tapered holes with a light-conductive, UV-curable polymeric filler; and

curing the filler.

21. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

filling the invisible tapered holes, from the smallest diameter thereof, with a light-conductive, UV-curable polymeric filler; and

curing the filler.

22. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

over-filling the invisible tapered holes with a light-conductive, UV-curable polymeric filler to form a dome of filler on at least one end of each hole; and

curing the filler.

23. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

filling the invisible tapered holes, from the smallest diameter thereof, with a light-conductive, UV-curable polymeric filler;

curing the filler;

removing the uncured remainder of the filler; and

finishing the cured filler at least one outer surface of the light resistant material.

24. A method of manufacturing an invisible, light-transmissive system, comprising:

providing a light resistant material; and

penetrating at least one substantially invisible light-transmissive slot in a light-transmissive pattern through the light resistant material.

25. The method as claimed in claim 24 wherein penetrating at least one substantially invisible light-transmissive slot in a light-transmissive pattern further comprises trepanning the slot with a laser beam.

26. The method as claimed in claim 24 wherein providing a light resistant material further comprises providing a light resistant material having a textured surface.

27. The method as claimed in claim 24 further comprising filling the invisible light-transmissive slot with a light-conductive filler.

28. The method as claimed in claim 24 further comprising:

filling the invisible light-transmissive slot with a light-conductive, UV-curable polymeric filler; and

curing the filler.

29. A method of manufacturing an invisible, light-transmissive system, comprising:

providing a light resistant material;

penetrating substantially invisible light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern through the light resistant material; and

sensing light through the invisible light-transmissive holes.

30. The method as claimed in claim 29 wherein penetrating substantially invisible light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern further comprises penetrating substantially tapered holes at least some of which are outwardly tilted with respect to the pattern.

31. The method as claimed in claim 29 wherein penetrating substantially invisible light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern further comprises laser beam trepanning substantially tapered holes at least some of which are outwardly tilted with respect to the pattern.

32. The method as claimed in claim 29 wherein penetrating substantially invisible light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern further comprises penetrating substantially tapered holes at least some of which are inwardly tilted with respect to the pattern.

33. The method as claimed in claim 29 wherein penetrating substantially invisible light-transmissive holes in a light-transmissive pattern further comprises laser beam trepanning substantially tapered holes at least some of which are inwardly tilted with respect to the pattern.

34. The method as claimed in claim 29 wherein sensing light through the invisible light-transmissive holes further comprises sensing ambient light through the invisible light-transmissive holes.

35. The method as claimed in claim 29 wherein sensing light through the invisible light-transmissive holes further comprises receiving IR control signals through the invisible light-transmissive holes.

36. The method as claimed in claim 29 wherein sensing light through the invisible light-transmissive holes further comprises detecting motion in the vicinity of the pattern.

37. The method as claimed in claim 29 wherein sensing light through the invisible light-transmissive holes further comprises providing proximity detection by detecting motion in the vicinity of the pattern.

38. The method as claimed in claim 29 wherein sensing light through the invisible light-transmissive holes further comprises providing button emulation by detecting motion in the vicinity of the pattern.

39. An invisible, light-transmissive system, comprising:

a light resistant material; and

substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes penetrating in a light-transmissive pattern through the light resistant material, the holes having the characteristics of having been formed using a laser beam having a focal width less than the smallest diameter of the tapered holes.

40. The system as claimed in claim 39 wherein the substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes have the characteristics of having been formed by trepanning the tapered holes with the laser beam.

41. The system as claimed in claim 39 wherein the substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes have the characteristics of having been formed by trepanning the tapered holes by orbiting the laser beam around the edges of the holes.

42. The system as claimed in claim 39 wherein the substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes have the characteristics of having been formed by trepanning the tapered holes with the laser beam by:

beginning penetrating the holes by orbiting the laser beam around the edges of the holes to describe the initial, largest hole diameter; and

as each hole forms and deepens, tightening the orbit to progressively reduce the diameter of the orbit and of the hole.

43. The system as claimed in claim 39 wherein the substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes further comprise substantially conical holes.

44. The system as claimed in claim 39 wherein the substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes further comprise substantially symmetrical conical holes having an aspect ratio of about 0.33.

45. The system as claimed in claim 39 wherein the substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes further comprise substantially conical holes at least some of which are outwardly tilted with respect to the pattern.

46. The system as claimed in claim 39 wherein the substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes further comprise substantially conical holes at least some of which are outwardly tilted with respect to the pattern and have the characteristics of having been formed by trepanning with the laser beam.

47. The system as claimed in claim 39 wherein the substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes further comprise substantially conical holes at least some of which are inwardly tilted with respect to the pattern.

48. The system as claimed in claim 39 wherein the substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes further comprise substantially conical holes at least some of which are inwardly tilted with respect to the pattern and have the characteristics of having been formed by trepanning with the laser beam.

49. The system as claimed in claim 39 further comprising at least one invisible slot.

50. The system as claimed in claim 39 wherein the substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes have the characteristics of having been formed by melting the inner surfaces of the holes with the laser beam to form a smooth mirror finish thereon.

51. The system as claimed in claim 39 wherein the substantially invisible, tapered, light-transmissive holes have the characteristics of having been formed by penetrating using a laser beam having a focal width no larger than substantially half the smallest diameter of the tapered holes.

52. The system as claimed in claim 39 wherein the light resistant material further comprises a light resistant material having a textured surface.

53. The system as claimed in claim 39 wherein the a light resistant material further comprises a light resistant material having a textured surface in which the surface texture is substantially at least as large as the hole sizes at the textured surface.

54. The system as claimed in claim 39 further comprising a light-conductive filler filling the invisible tapered holes.

55. The system as claimed in claim 39 further comprising a light-conductive filler over-filling the invisible tapered holes to form a dome of filler on at least one end of each hole.

56. The system as claimed in claim 39 further comprising a light-conductive filler filling the invisible tapered holes and being finished at least one outer surface of the light resistant material.

57. The system as claimed in claim 39 further comprising a light-conductive, UV-cured polymeric filler filling the invisible tapered holes.

58. The system as claimed in claim 39 further comprising a light-conductive, UV-cured polymeric filler over-filling the invisible tapered holes to form a dome of filler on at least one end of each hole.

59. The system as claimed in claim 39 further comprising a light-conductive, UV-cured polymeric filler filling the invisible tapered holes and being finished at least one outer surface of the light resistant material.

60. An invisible, light-transmissive system, comprising:

a light resistant material; and

at least one substantially invisible light-transmissive slot penetrating in a light-transmissive pattern through the light resistant material.

61. The system as claimed in claim 60 wherein the substantially invisible light-transmissive slot has the characteristics of having been formed by trepanning the slot with a laser beam.

62. The system as claimed in claim 60 wherein the light resistant material further comprises a light resistant material having a textured surface.

63. The system as claimed in claim 60 further comprising a light-conductive filler filling the invisible light-transmissive slot.

64. The system as claimed in claim 60 further comprising a UV-cured light-conductive polymeric filler filling the invisible light-transmissive slot.

65. An invisible, light-transmissive system, comprising:

a light resistant material;

substantially invisible light-transmissive holes penetrating in a light-transmissive pattern through the light resistant material; and

a light-sensitive receptor configured for sensing light through the invisible light-transmissive holes.

66. The system as claimed in claim 65 wherein the substantially invisible light-transmissive holes further comprise substantially tapered holes at least some of which are outwardly tilted with respect to the pattern.

67. The system as claimed in claim 65 wherein the substantially invisible light-transmissive holes further comprise substantially tapered holes at least some of which are outwardly tilted with respect to the pattern and have the characteristics of having been formed by trepanning with a laser beam.

68. The system as claimed in claim 65 wherein the substantially invisible light-transmissive holes further comprise substantially tapered holes at least some of which are inwardly tilted with respect to the pattern.

69. The system as claimed in claim 65 wherein the substantially invisible light-transmissive holes further comprise substantially tapered holes at least some of which are inwardly tilted with respect to the pattern and have the characteristics of having been formed by trepanning with a laser beam.

70. The system as claimed in claim 65 wherein the light-sensitive receptor is configured for sensing ambient light through the invisible light-transmissive holes.

71. The system as claimed in claim 65 wherein the light-sensitive receptor is configured for receiving IR control signals through the invisible light-transmissive holes.

72. The system as claimed in claim 65 wherein the light-sensitive receptor is configured for detecting motion in the vicinity of the pattern.

73. The system as claimed in claim 65 wherein the light-sensitive receptor is configured for providing proximity detection by detecting motion in the vicinity of the pattern.

74. The system as claimed in claim 65 wherein the light-sensitive receptor is configured for providing button emulation by detecting motion in the vicinity of the pattern.