Hybrid concentrator for a backlight
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A backlight for a display, the backlight comprising:
- a light guide;
a plurality of light sources positioned along an input end of the light guide; and
a plurality of hybrid concentrators, each hybrid concentrator positioned between a corresponding light source and the light guide and configured to concentrate light from the corresponding light source into the light guide, and each hybrid concentrator comprising;
a lens in a central region of the hybrid concentrator, the central region including a low refractive index gap between the corresponding light source and the lens;
reflective top and bottom layers that cover the low refractive index gap between the corresponding light source and the lens; and
one or more total-internal-reflection (TIR) zones.
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Abstract
This document describes techniques and apparatuses for implementing a hybrid concentrator for a backlight. The backlight includes a light guide and multiple light sources positioned along an input end of the light guide. The backlight further includes multiple hybrid concentrators that each include a lens in a central region of the concentrator and one or more total-internal-reflection (TIR) zones. Each hybrid concentrator is positioned between a corresponding light source and the light guide, and is configured to concentrate light into the light guide. The light guide then projects the concentrated light to illuminate a modulating display panel to form images for viewing.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A backlight for a display, the backlight comprising:
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a light guide; a plurality of light sources positioned along an input end of the light guide; and a plurality of hybrid concentrators, each hybrid concentrator positioned between a corresponding light source and the light guide and configured to concentrate light from the corresponding light source into the light guide, and each hybrid concentrator comprising; a lens in a central region of the hybrid concentrator, the central region including a low refractive index gap between the corresponding light source and the lens; reflective top and bottom layers that cover the low refractive index gap between the corresponding light source and the lens; and one or more total-internal-reflection (TIR) zones. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 19)
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11. A display device comprising:
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a display comprising; a modulating display panel; a backlight configured to illuminate the modulating display panel, the backlight comprising; a light guide comprising an input end and a reflective end; a plurality of light sources positioned along the input end of the light guide; and a plurality of hybrid concentrators, each hybrid concentrator positioned between a corresponding light source and the light guide, and each hybrid concentrator comprising; a lens in a central region of the hybrid concentrator, the central region including a low refractive index gap between the corresponding light source and the lens; reflective top and bottom layers that cover the low refractive index gap between the corresponding light source and the lens; and one or more total-internal-reflection (TIR) zones; a controller configured to control the plurality of light sources to inject light into the light guide via the plurality of concentrators to cause the light guide to illuminate the display panel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 20)
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15. A method comprising:
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controlling one or more light sources to inject light into a light guide via a plurality of hybrid concentrators, each of the hybrid concentrators positioned between the light guide and a corresponding light source, and each hybrid concentrator including a lens in a central region and one or more total-internal-reflection (TIR) zones, the central region including a low refractive index gap between the corresponding light source and the lens, and each hybrid concentrator further comprising reflective top and bottom layers that cover the low refractive index gap between the corresponding light source and the lens; and controlling a display panel positioned between a viewer and the light guide to use light received from the light guide to project images for viewing to the viewer. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification