Optical microstructures for light extraction and control
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An optical shutter comprising:
- a light guide through which light propagates via total internal reflection;
a positionable active layer configured to physically move between an on state position and an off state position, the positionable active layer located in proximity to the light guide, the positionable active layer having an internal surface that faces the light guide and an external surface that faces away from the light guide; and
a plurality of collimator features on the external surface of the positionable active layer that increase a probability of the light exiting the positionable active layer being emitted by the optical shutter.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The application of optical microstructures 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. Certain ones of the microstructures can act to assist in overcoming stiction between the surface and the light guide.
224 Citations
33 Claims
-
1. An optical shutter comprising:
-
a light guide through which light propagates via total internal reflection; a positionable active layer configured to physically move between an on state position and an off state position, the positionable active layer located in proximity to the light guide, the positionable active layer having an internal surface that faces the light guide and an external surface that faces away from the light guide; and a plurality of collimator features on the external surface of the positionable active layer that increase a probability of the light exiting the positionable active layer being emitted by the optical shutter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 6)
-
-
3. An optical shutter array system comprising:
-
a plurality of optical shutters on a display, wherein at least one of the plurality of optical shutters comprises; a light guide through which light propagates via total internal reflection; a positionable active layer configured to physically move between an on state position and an off state position, the positionable active layer located in proximity to the light guide, the positionable active layer having an internal surface that faces the light guide and an external surface that faces away from the light guide; and a plurality of collimator features on the external surface of the positionable active layer. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An optical shutter comprising:
-
a light guide through which light propagates via total internal reflection; a positionable active layer configured to physically move between an on state position and an off state position, the positionable active layer located in proximity to the light guide, the positionable active layer having an internal surface that faces the light guide and an external surface that faces away from the light guide; and a first set of collector-coupler features on the internal surface of the positionable active layer, wherein during the on state position, when the optical shutter is activated to emit the light, the light is caused to exit the light guide and enter the positionable active layer via the first set of collector-coupler features. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. An optical shutter comprising:
-
a light guide through which light propagates via total internal reflection; a positionable active layer configured to physically move between an on state position and an off state position, the positionable active layer located in proximity to the light guide; a plurality of collimator features on an external surface of the positionable active layer that increase a probability of the light exiting the positionable active layer being emitted by the optical shutter; and a first set of collector-coupler features on an internal surface of the positionable active layer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. An optical shutter array system comprising:
-
a plurality of optical shutters on a display, wherein at least one of the plurality of optical shutters comprises; a light guide through which light propagates via total internal reflection; a positionable active layer configured to physically move between an on state position and an off state position, the positionable active layer located in proximity to the light guide; a plurality of collimator features on an external surface of the positionable active layer; and a first set of collector-coupler features on an internal surface of the positionable active layer. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
-
Specification