Variable flower display backlight system

• US 9,035,975 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2014
• Issued: 05/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation (Dolby Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation (Dolby Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Mammen, Neil, Penna, Ashley, Ninan, Ajit
• Primary Examiner(s): Balaoing, Ariel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ritchie, Darlene M
• Application Number:
  US14/462,216
• Publication Number:
  US 20140354709A1
• Time in Patent Office: 274 Days
• US Class Current: 345/690
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/003 by interposition of elements with electrically controlled variable light transmissivity, e.g. liquid crystal elements or electrochromic devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1323 Arrangements for providing a switchable viewing angle
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1326 Liquid crystal optical waveguides or liquid crystal cells specially adapted for gating or modulating between optical waveguides
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133603 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133606 including a specially adapted diffusing, scattering or light controlling members
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/62 Switchable arrangements whereby the element being usually not switchable
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0233 Improving the luminance or brightness uniformity across the screen
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0626 for control of overall brightness
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/16 Calculation or use of calculated indices related to luminance levels in display data
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3406 Control of illumination source illumination devices structurally associated with liquid crystal cells G02F1/1336
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/342 using several illumination sources separately controlled corresponding to different display panel areas, e.g. along one dimension such as lines

Abstract

Techniques for using variable flower assemblies to control light leakage between designated portions of light-emitting elements are provided. In some embodiments, a variable flower assembly comprises a plurality of light-transmissive segments each may be electronically set to a different light-transparency level. The variable flower assembly substantially forms a tube around a light-emitting element mounted on a first plane. A first edge of each of the light-transmissive segments collectively surrounds the light-emitting element on a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane. A second opposing edge of each of the light-transmissive segments collectively forms an opening of the tube. In some embodiments, a reflective assembly which reflectance level is electronically controllable may surround the variable flower assembly.

Claims

1. A variable backlight flower assembly for a display system comprising:

a plurality of light-transmissive segments each configured to be set to an individual light-transparency level based on electronic controls coupled to the plurality of light-transmissive segments;

wherein the plurality of light-transmissive segments physically forms walls of a tube around a light-emitting element, wherein the light-emitting element is configured to illuminate a first plane, wherein each of the light-transmissive segments has a first edge, and wherein the first edges of the light-transmissive segments collectively surround the light-emitting element on a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane, wherein each of the light-transmissive segments has a second edge, and wherein the second edges of the light-transmissive segments collectively form an opening of the tube, and wherein the second edge of each of the light-transmissive segments is opposite to the first edge of the each of the light-transmissive segments; and

wherein at least a portion of light from the light-emitting element travels through the walls of the tube in a direction non-perpendicular to the first and second planes, and the transparency levels of the walls of the tube are controlled electronically separately from the control of luminance levels of pixels of the display system.

2. The variable backlight flower assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the light-transmissive segments comprises a liquid crystal structure further comprising a liquid crystal layer.

3. The variable backlight flower assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein a light-transmissive segment in the plurality of light-transmissive segments transmits maximum light when the light-transmissive segment is set to a maximum transparency level.

4. The variable backlight flower assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein a light-transmissive segment in the plurality of light-transmissive segments transmits minimum light when the light-transmissive segment is set to a minimum transparency level.

5. The variable backlight flower assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein a light-transmissive segment in the plurality of light-transmissive segments transmits light at an intermediate level when the light-transmissive segment is set to an intermediate transparency level.

6. The variable backlight flower assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the light-emitting element is configured to create an illuminated area on a first plane, wherein the illuminated area comprises a central portion and a plurality of non-central portions, and wherein incidental light from the light-emitting element to a different non-central portion of the plurality of non-central portions is configured to transmit through a different light-transmissive segment in the plurality of light-transmissive segments.

7. The variable backlight flower assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the first plane represents a surface of a diffuser and wherein the opening of the tube is at a distance from the first plane.

8. The variable backlight flower assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the first plane represents a surface of a diffuser and wherein the opening of the robe is substantially on the first plane.

9. The variable backlight flower assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the tube is substantially perpendicular to the second plane.

10. The variable backlight flower assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the tube comprises a non-circular shape, which comprises three or more walls.

11. The variable backlight flower assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein both the tube and the light-emitting element form a unitary structure that is mounted on a second plane.

12. The variable backlight flower assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the light-emitting element is configured to create an illuminated area on the first plane as determined by a point spread function of the light-emitting element.

13. The variable backlight flower assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of light-transmissive segments is surrounded by a reflective assembly.

14. The variable backlight flower assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the light-emitting element is configured to create an illuminated area on the first plane as determined by a point spread function of the light-emitting element, wherein the illuminated area includes an assigned portion that is assigned to the light-emitting element to illuminate, wherein the illuminated area includes a remainder portion overlapping with another assigned portion on the first plane, and wherein said another assigned portion is assigned to another light-emitting element to illuminate.

15. The variable backlight flower assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein the display system comprises a display panel, wherein the display panel comprises a pixel array, and wherein the assigned portion corresponds to a plurality of pixels in the pixel array.

16. A two-dimensional array of variable backlight flower assemblies in a display system, having a first variable backlight flower assembly, which comprises:

a plurality of light-transmissive segments each configured to be set to an individual light-transparency level based on electronic controls coupled to the plurality of light-transmissive segments;

wherein the plurality of light-transmissive segments physically forms walls of a tube around a light-emitting element, wherein the light-emitting element is configured to illuminate a first plane, wherein each of the light-transmissive segments has a first edge, and wherein the first edges of the light-transmissive segments collectively surround the light-emitting element on a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane, wherein each of the light-transmissive segments has a second edge,

and wherein the second edges of the light-transmissive segments collectively form an opening of the tube, and wherein the second edge of each of the light-transmissive segments is opposite to the first edge of each of the light-transmissive segments; and

wherein at least a portion of light from the light-emitting element travels through the walls of the tube in a direction non-perpendicular to the first and second planes, and the transparency levels of the walls of the tube are controlled electronically separately from the control of luminance levels of pixels of the display system.

17. The two-dimensional array as recited in claim 16, further having a second variable backlight flower assembly, which comprises:

a plurality of second light-transmissive segments each configured to be set to an individual light-transparency level based on electronic controls coupled to the plurality of second light-transmissive segments;

wherein the plurality of second light-transmissive segments physically forms walls of a second tube around a second light-emitting element, wherein the second light-emitting element is configured to illuminate the first plane, wherein each of the second light-transmissive segments has a third edge, and wherein the third edges of the light-transmissive segments collectively surround the second light-emitting element on the second plane substantially parallel to the first plane, wherein each of the second light-transmissive segments has a fourth edge, and wherein the fourth edges of the second light-transmissive segments collectively form an opening of the second tube, and wherein the fourth edge of each of the second light-transmissive segments is opposite to the third edge of the each of the second light-transmissive segments; and

wherein at least a portion of light from the second light-emitting element travels through the walls of the second tube in a direction non-perpendicular to the first and second planes, and the transparency levels of the walls of the second tube are controlled electronically separately from the control of the luminance levels of the pixels of the display system.

18. The two-dimensional array as recited in claim 17, wherein said first variable backlight flower assembly shares no common light-transmissive segment with said second variable backlight flower assembly.

19. The two-dimensional array as recited in claim 17, wherein said first variable backlight flower assembly shares one or more common light-transmissive segments with said second variable backlight flower assembly.

20. A light source system comprising:

a two-dimensional array of light-emitting elements;

a two-dimensional array of variable backlight flower assemblies having a first variable backlight flower assembly, which comprises;

a plurality of light-transmissive segments each configured to be set to an individual light-transparency level based on electronic controls coupled to the plurality of light-transmissive segments;

wherein the plurality of light-transmissive segments physically forms walls of a tube around a light-emitting element, wherein the light-emitting element is configured to illuminate a first plane, wherein each of the light-transmissive segments has a first edge, and wherein the first edges of the light-transmissive segments collectively surround the light-emitting element on a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane, wherein each of the light-transmissive segments has a second edge, and wherein the second edges of the light-transmissive segments collectively form an opening of the tube, and wherein the second edge of each of the light-transmissive segments is opposite to the first edge of the each of the light-transmissive segments; and

wherein at least a portion of light from the light-emitting element travels through the walls of the tube in a direction non-perpendicular to the first and second planes, and the transparency levels of the walls of the tube are controlled electronically separately from the control of luminance levels of pixels of the display system;

a light source control logic comprising a plurality of data inputs coupled to the variable backlight flower assemblies, wherein the light source control logic is configured to set each light-transmissive segment in a variable backlight flower assembly in the second two-dimensional array to a separate transparency level based on a separate data value from one of the plurality of data inputs.

21. The light source system as recited in claim 20, further comprising a sampling logic that is configured to:

estimate desired illumination on a portion of a first plane based on pixel values in image data; and

work with the light source control logic to drive a transmissive switching element to set a light-transmissive segment to one in a plurality of transparency levels.

22. A method comprising:

receiving image data to display one or more images on a display system, wherein the display system comprises (1) at least a light-emitting element, and (2) at least a variable backlight flower assembly having a first variable backlight flower assembly, which comprises;

a plurality of light-transmissive segments each configured to be set to an individual light-transparency level based on electronic controls coupled to the plurality of light-transmissive segments;

wherein the plurality of light-transmissive segments physically forms walls of a tube around a light-emitting element, wherein the light-emitting element is configured to illuminate a first plane, wherein each of the light-transmissive segments has a first edge, and wherein the first edges of the light-transmissive segments collectively surround the light-emitting element on a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane, wherein each of the light-transmissive segments has a second edge, and wherein the second edges of the light-transmissive segments collectively form an opening of the tube, and wherein the second edge of each of the light-transmissive segments is opposite to the first edge of the each of the light-transmissive segments; and

wherein at least a portion of light from the light-emitting element travels through the walls of the tube in a direction non-perpendicular to the first and second planes, and the transparency levels of the walls of the tube are controlled electronically separately from the control of luminance levels of pixels of the display system;

sampling a plurality of pixel values in the image data, wherein the plurality of pixel values is to be expressed in a plurality of pixels on a display panel of the display system, and wherein the plurality of pixels receives light from the light-emitting element through light-transmissive segments of the variable backlight flower assembly; and

setting at least one of the light-transmissive segments to a desired transparency level based on results of sampling the plurality of pixel values;

wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.

23. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, comprising instructions, which when performed or executed by a processor, causes, controls or programs the processor to perform a method that comprises the steps of:

receiving image data to display one or more images on a display system, wherein the display system comprises (1) at least a light-emitting element, and (2) at least a variable backlight flower assembly having a first variable backlight flower assembly, which comprises;

a plurality of light-transmissive segments each configured to be set to an individual light-transparency level based on electronic controls coupled to the plurality of light-transmissive segments;

wherein the plurality of light-transmissive segments physically forms walls of a tube around a light-emitting element, wherein the light-emitting element is configured to illuminate a first plane, wherein each of the light-transmissive segments has a first edge, and wherein the first edges of the light-transmissive segments collectively surround the light-emitting element on a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane, wherein each of the light-transmissive segments has a second edge, and wherein the second edges of the light-transmissive segments collectively form an opening of the tube, and wherein the second edge of each of the light-transmissive segments is opposite to the first edge of the each of the light-transmissive segments; and

wherein at least a portion of light from the light-emitting element travels through the walls of the tube in a direction non-perpendicular to the first and second planes, and the transparency levels of the walls of the tube are controlled electronically separately from the control of luminance levels of pixels of the display system;

sampling a plurality of pixel values in the image data, wherein the plurality of pixel values is to be expressed in a plurality of pixels on a display panel of the display system, and wherein the plurality of pixels receives light from the light-emitting element through light-transmissive segments of the variable backlight flower assembly; and

setting at least one of the light-transmissive segments to a desired transparency level based on results of sampling the plurality of pixel values.

24. A system comprising:

means for receiving image data to display one or more images on a display system,

wherein the display system comprises (1) at least a light-emitting element, and (2) at least a variable backlight flower assembly having a first variable backlight flower assembly, which comprises;

a plurality of light-transmissive segments each configured to be set to an individual light-transparency level based on electronic controls coupled to the plurality of light-transmissive segments;

wherein the plurality of light-transmissive segments physically forms walls of a tube around a light-emitting element, wherein the light-emitting element is configured to illuminate a first plane, wherein each of the light-transmissive segments has a first edge, and wherein the first edges of the light-transmissive segments collectively surround the light-emitting element on a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane, wherein each of the light-transmissive segments has a second edge, and wherein the second edges of the light-transmissive segments collectively form an opening of the tube, and wherein the second edge of each of the light-transmissive segments is opposite to the first edge of the each of the light-transmissive segments; and

wherein at least a portion of light from the light-emitting element travels through the walls of the tube in a direction non-perpendicular to the first and second planes, and the transparency levels of the walls of the tube are controlled electronically separately from the control of luminance levels of pixels of the display system;

means for sampling a plurality of pixel values in the image data, wherein the plurality of pixel values is to be expressed in a plurality of pixels on a display panel of the display system, and wherein the plurality of pixels receives light from the light-emitting element through light-transmissive segments of the variable backlight flower assembly; and

means for setting at least one of the light-transmissive segments to a desired transparency level based on results of sampling the plurality of pixel values.