Assemblies and methods for illuminating a display

• US 7,999,885 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2009
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Inventors: Klein, Dean A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Dung T.
• Application Number:
  US12/623,564
• Publication Number:
  US 20100066940A1
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 349 58- 64
• US Class Current: 349/58
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0021 for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0031 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0055 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133308 Support structures for LCD panels, e.g. frames or bezels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133314 Back frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133608 including particular frames or supporting means
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133611 including means for improving the brightness uniformity
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133615 Edge-illuminating devices, i.e. illuminating from the side

Abstract

A computer display is disclosed. The computer display includes a LCD housing, a light source coupled to the LCD housing, and a LCD coupled to the LCD housing. The LCD housing conducts light from the light source to the LCD. A method for conducting light is also disclosed. The method includes generating light and conducting the generated light through a LCD housing.

Claims

1. An assembly for illuminating and protecting a liquid crystal display (LCD), the assembly comprising:

a housing coupled to a liquid crystal display (LCD), the housing configured to protect and at least partially enclose the back surface and edges of the LCD, the housing further comprising a light transmissive material;

a light source at least partially embedded within the light transmissive material within the housing, wherein the housing is further configured to function as a light pipe for conducting light from the light source to the LCD; and

a reflective coating on at least a portion of a surface of the housing, wherein at least a portion of light from the light source is reflected by the reflective coating.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a fluorescent lamp.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a cold cathode fluorescent lamp.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the light source is embedded in the light transmissive material at one end of the housing.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the light source is embedded in the light transmissive material at a center location of the housing.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises an omnidirectional light source.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the light transmissive material has the same light transmissive characteristics throughout.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing has a thickness of approximately four millimeters.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a portion of the light source protrudes from the housing.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the light transmissive material comprises plastic.

11. A method for illuminating a display, the method comprising:

generating light from at least one light source at least partially embedded within a translucent material of a display housing, wherein the display housing comprises a partially coated surface with a reflective material; and

conducting the generated light through the display housing to a display, wherein the translucent material is configured to function as a light pipe for illuminating the display, and wherein the display housing is further configured to protect the display.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one light source comprises a fluorescent lamp.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one light source comprises a cold cathode fluorescent lamp.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the light source is embedded in the translucent material at one end of the housing.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the light source is embedded in the translucent material at a center location of the housing.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the light source comprises an omnidirectional light source.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the display comprises a liquid crystal display.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the display housing is made from a single translucent material.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the translucent material has the same light transmissive characteristics throughout.

20. The method of claim 11, additionally comprising allowing a portion of the generated light to leave the display housing through etched portions of the reflective material.