Light source apparatus and head-up display apparatus incorporating the light source apparatus

• US 8,421,710 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2010
• Issued: 04/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OKI Electric Industry Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Oki Data Corporation (OKI Electric Industry Company Limited)
• Inventors: Nakamura, Yukio, Toyama, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): AMARI, ALESSANDRO V
• Application Number:
  US12/656,301
• Publication Number:
  US 20100188720A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,177 Days
• Field of Search: 359/13, 359630-633, 345 7- 9, 345/33, 345/39, 345/44, 345/46, 345/82, 345/204, 345/205
• US Class Current: 345/7
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/156 two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/60 Reflective elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/62 Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the semiconductor body, e.g. lead-frames, wire-bonds or solder balls

Abstract

A light source apparatus emits light image information. A reflective layer is formed on a planarization film formed on a metal substrate. LED thin films are arranged in a matrix having columns extending in first directions and rows extending in second directions perpendicular to the first directions, the LED thin films being bonded to the reflective layer by means of intermolecular force. First wires are connected to first electrodes of the LED thin films. Second wires are connected to second electrodes of the LED thin films. A first driver circuit selectively electrically drives the LED thin films, arranged in the rows, via the plurality of first wires. A second driver circuit selectively electrically drives the LED thin films, arranged in the rows, via the plurality of second wires.

Claims

1. A light source apparatus comprising:

a metal substrate;

an electrically insulating planarization film formed on the metal substrate;

a plurality of reflective metal layers formed on the planarization film;

a plurality of LED (light emitting diode) thin films arranged in a matrix having columns extending in a first direction and rows extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each of the plurality of LED thin films being bonded to a corresponding one of the plurality of reflective metal layers via intermolecular force;

a plurality of first wires, each of the plurality of first wires being electrically connected to a corresponding one of first electrodes of the LED thin films;

a plurality of second wires, each of the plurality of second wires being electrically connected to a corresponding one of second electrodes of the LED thin films via a corresponding one of the plurality of reflective metal layers;

a first driver circuit for selectively electrically driving the LED thin films arranged in the rows via the plurality of first wires; and

a second driver circuit for selectively electrically driving the LED thin films arranged in the columns via the plurality of second wires.

2. The light source apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of LED thin films include three types of LED thin films, the three types of LED thin films being capable of emitting light of different wavelengths, wherein the LED thin films that emit light having a same wavelength are aligned either in the rows or in the columns.

3. The light source apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the LED thin films are p-n junction devices formed of layered thin films based on epitaxially grown inorganic materials.

4. The light source apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the metal substrate includes a portion in which a mounting hole is formed.

5. The light source apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light shielding layer configured to partially cover the plurality of first wires and the plurality of second wires, the light shielding layer surrounding each LED thin film.

6. The light source apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the light shielding layer is formed of a photoresist coating colored with a black pigment.

7. A head-up display apparatus comprising:

a light source apparatus comprising;

a metal substrate;

an electrically insulating planarization film formed on the metal substrate;

a plurality of reflective metal layers formed on the planarization film;

a plurality of LED (light emitting diode) thin films arranged in a matrix having columns extending in a first direction and rows extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, each of the plurality of LED thin films being bonded to a corresponding one of the plurality of reflective metal layers via intermolecular force;

a plurality of first wires, each of the plurality of first wires being electrically connected to a corresponding one of first electrodes of the LED thin films;

a plurality of second wires, each of the plurality of second wires being electrically connected to a corresponding one of second electrodes of the LED thin films via a corresponding one of the plurality of reflective metal layers;

a first driver circuit for selectively electrically driving the LED thin films arranged in the rows via the plurality of first wires; and

a second driver circuit for selectively electrically driving the LED thin films arranged in the columns via the plurality of second wires;

a dichroic mirror that reflects the light emitted from the light source apparatus;

a hologram mirror that reflects the light reflected from the dichroic mirror; and

a reflective member that reflects the light reflected from the hologram mirror toward a viewer, the reflective member including a holographic optical element having a reflection angle that varies based on the wavelength of light.