TIR light valve
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A light valve device, comprising:
- an array of light valves, at least one of the light valves comprising;
a light bending structure comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface arranged such that light incident on the first surface of the light bending mechanism is internally reflected at the second surface of the light bending mechanism;
a switch element comprising a first surface, and a serrated second surface opposite the first surface; and
a moving mechanism to move the switch element relative to the second surface of the light bending structure,wherein, when the switch element is in a first position, light incident on the first surface of the light bending structure internally reflects at the second surface of the light bending structure and passes through the third surface of the light bending structure, andwhen the switch element is in a second position, the first surface of the switch element is in a position touching or in close proximity to the second surface of the light bending structure, so that light incident on the first surface of the light bending structure is not internally reflected at the second surface of the light bending structure, but rather continues on to the serrated second surface of the switch element, the serrated second surface directing the light in a direction different from a direction in which the light is reflected at the second surface of the light bending structure when the switch element is in the first position.
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Abstract
An array of light valves switch light by enabling and disabling total internal reflection (TIR) on a surface of the light valve. The disabling of the TIR is accomplished by putting another optical element in contact with the surface and then diffusing or changing the direction of the light. The mechanical mechanism to move the optical element is a simple one in that it only moves the optical element a small distance to change the valve from a first position to a second position.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A light valve device, comprising:
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an array of light valves, at least one of the light valves comprising; a light bending structure comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface arranged such that light incident on the first surface of the light bending mechanism is internally reflected at the second surface of the light bending mechanism; a switch element comprising a first surface, and a serrated second surface opposite the first surface; and a moving mechanism to move the switch element relative to the second surface of the light bending structure, wherein, when the switch element is in a first position, light incident on the first surface of the light bending structure internally reflects at the second surface of the light bending structure and passes through the third surface of the light bending structure, and when the switch element is in a second position, the first surface of the switch element is in a position touching or in close proximity to the second surface of the light bending structure, so that light incident on the first surface of the light bending structure is not internally reflected at the second surface of the light bending structure, but rather continues on to the serrated second surface of the switch element, the serrated second surface directing the light in a direction different from a direction in which the light is reflected at the second surface of the light bending structure when the switch element is in the first position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeRambus Delaware LLC (Rambus Inc.)
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Original AssigneeRambus International Ltd (Rambus Inc.)
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InventorsRichardson, Brian Edward
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Primary Examiner(s)Lester, Evelyn A.
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Application NumberUS12/878,918Publication NumberTime in Patent Office915 DaysField of Search359/237, 359/154, 359/155, 359/227, 359/529, 359629-640, 359833-837, 359/599, 372/12, 372/99US Class Current359/629CPC Class CodesG02B 26/0875 by means of one or more ref...G02B 26/0883 the refracting element bein...
